Julian Emeny's training as an arborist helped him climb the ladder of success
Trees have been a big part of Julian Emeny's life since he was a schoolboy, and now he manages a team that looks after Wellington City Council’s trees. "I remember at school we were able to buy some trees in a programme they had going, so we would pick what trees we wanted and we would bring them home and plant them on our properties.
"That moved into doing horticulture at school and then I got a job with the city council in the street tree team."
Julian started out as a groundsman and then moved into working with trees. “I did on-job training, and then block courses at the polytech at Waikato. Then the national certificate came out from NZHITO (Horticulture Industry Training Organisation) and I did that."
Julian recently completed a year-long diploma aimed at arborists who are moving into being managers or business owners, by correspondence.
"The diploma had four block courses and in between we had assignments. It was pretty hard work because my training in the past has all been on-job, block courses and project work, but nothing this intense.
"It was a huge change and with the family, and house maintenance, it was a struggle, but I just tried to do a bit every night and it got done. I'd sit down in front of the computer when the kids were in bed and write away.
"Looking back now, it's great, it's well worth the effort. The diploma course was perfect because I completed it just before the transition to the manager's role."
Knowing he’s contributing to the future landscape is a big part of the satisfaction of Julian’s new job. "A key part of what I enjoy doing is organising our tree planting programmes, working for Wellington City and having an influence on our tree population, for now and for the future. That legacy type thing. That's pretty satisfying."
Julian's lifelong learning
- Studied horticulture at school.
- Got a job as a groundsman in the tree team at the Wellington City Council.
- Did on-the-job training in block courses at Waikato Polytechnic (now Wintec).
- Completed a national certificate through the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation.
- Completed a National Diploma in Arboriculture through Telford Rural Polytechnic.
- Was appointed as team manager, arboriculture at Wellington City Council.
