February 15, 2008
Terry Nicholson works to improve certification
“His knowledge and dedication to CHT is the reason the program has advanced so far in the past five years.”
These words by Landscape Ontario’s manager of human resource development Terry Murphy were used to describe volunteer Terry Nicholson.
Presently vice chair of the national certification committee, Terry Nicholson first became involved with the program back in the spring of l999, when he took the CHT evaluation at LO’s Milton office. He completed his CHT that fall. “It was then that I realized what an excellent program that CHT provided,” says Nicholson. “I felt that this was an awesome opportunity for our company to move forward.”
A member of the Clintar organization since the early 1980s, Terry Nicholson has a very broad range of experience dealing with contract estimating, cost control, horticultural practices and people development.
Clintar’s web site introduces Terry with the following, “He has provided much of the operational guidance for the development of the franchise system, particularly with support of the start-up franchised businesses. Terry’s rise through the ranks of Clintar’s organization is a shining example and inspiration to all the Clintar family.”
In the spring of 2000, Terry stepped forward as a volunteer on LO’s certification committee. It wasn’t long (2004) until he became the committee’s chairman. He held the position until 2007, when he accepted the post of vice chairman of the national committee with the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA). “I haven’t left the LO committee, but felt I needed to dedicate my time to the national organization to achieve the goals I had set.”
Terry says that the goal of the national committee is to bring certification tests to all provinces. “We are well on the way to achieving that goal.” This year Manitoba will hold its first testing day. In the last two years, Terry has helped bring two new additional evaluation sites to Ontario. In 2007, Niagara Parks School of Horticulture hosted its second evaluation and Kemptville College, near Ottawa, held its first-ever event. Terry hopes more Ontario sites may be added through integration with educational institutions. He feels the program will prosper with easier access for those wishing to take the tests.
He has also participated in a recent occupational analysis with the International Certification Committee and the subsequent test revision work that will result in a new and improved evaluation to be launched in 2008.
From his perspective with Clintar, Terry Nicholson says he sees such great benefit for his company through the CHT program. “For us (Clintar), we can demonstrate that our field-level staff has attained a high level of skill. By completing the evaluation, we end up with a well-rounded employee.” Once an employee achieves CHT certification, Terry says his company looks to elevate those people.
Terry believes that a strong positive for companies with CHT employees is the safety aspect of the program. “Those who come through the program, leave with a strong level of understanding towards safety. That attitude rubs off onto other employees within the company, creating a safer workplace.”
Terry Nicholson feels that being a volunteer provides him with both professional and personal benefits. “As a group, such as with LO, we landscapers can help each other improve the industry. Certification is just one of the things that help us improve our image to the public.”
From a personal viewpoint, Terry says he has met so many dedicated professionals across North America through volunteering. “From Newfoundland to Hawaii, I have met peers, from whom I have been able to learn so much. I have also made numerous friends, who I otherwise would have never met.”
After Terry Murphy spoke about all the positive volunteer work done by Terry Nicholson, he concluded by saying, “And, he’s a great guy to work with.”
These words by Landscape Ontario’s manager of human resource development Terry Murphy were used to describe volunteer Terry Nicholson.
Presently vice chair of the national certification committee, Terry Nicholson first became involved with the program back in the spring of l999, when he took the CHT evaluation at LO’s Milton office. He completed his CHT that fall. “It was then that I realized what an excellent program that CHT provided,” says Nicholson. “I felt that this was an awesome opportunity for our company to move forward.”
A member of the Clintar organization since the early 1980s, Terry Nicholson has a very broad range of experience dealing with contract estimating, cost control, horticultural practices and people development.
Clintar’s web site introduces Terry with the following, “He has provided much of the operational guidance for the development of the franchise system, particularly with support of the start-up franchised businesses. Terry’s rise through the ranks of Clintar’s organization is a shining example and inspiration to all the Clintar family.”
In the spring of 2000, Terry stepped forward as a volunteer on LO’s certification committee. It wasn’t long (2004) until he became the committee’s chairman. He held the position until 2007, when he accepted the post of vice chairman of the national committee with the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA). “I haven’t left the LO committee, but felt I needed to dedicate my time to the national organization to achieve the goals I had set.”
Terry says that the goal of the national committee is to bring certification tests to all provinces. “We are well on the way to achieving that goal.” This year Manitoba will hold its first testing day. In the last two years, Terry has helped bring two new additional evaluation sites to Ontario. In 2007, Niagara Parks School of Horticulture hosted its second evaluation and Kemptville College, near Ottawa, held its first-ever event. Terry hopes more Ontario sites may be added through integration with educational institutions. He feels the program will prosper with easier access for those wishing to take the tests.
He has also participated in a recent occupational analysis with the International Certification Committee and the subsequent test revision work that will result in a new and improved evaluation to be launched in 2008.
From his perspective with Clintar, Terry Nicholson says he sees such great benefit for his company through the CHT program. “For us (Clintar), we can demonstrate that our field-level staff has attained a high level of skill. By completing the evaluation, we end up with a well-rounded employee.” Once an employee achieves CHT certification, Terry says his company looks to elevate those people.
Terry believes that a strong positive for companies with CHT employees is the safety aspect of the program. “Those who come through the program, leave with a strong level of understanding towards safety. That attitude rubs off onto other employees within the company, creating a safer workplace.”
Terry Nicholson feels that being a volunteer provides him with both professional and personal benefits. “As a group, such as with LO, we landscapers can help each other improve the industry. Certification is just one of the things that help us improve our image to the public.”
From a personal viewpoint, Terry says he has met so many dedicated professionals across North America through volunteering. “From Newfoundland to Hawaii, I have met peers, from whom I have been able to learn so much. I have also made numerous friends, who I otherwise would have never met.”
After Terry Murphy spoke about all the positive volunteer work done by Terry Nicholson, he concluded by saying, “And, he’s a great guy to work with.”