GABRIEL CABRIETUNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO

Summer InternshipProgram

Summer, 2008

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WEEK 1,2 Exterior Field Crew WEEK 3 Irrigation TrainingWEEK 4 EnhancementsWEEK5 Agronomics WEEK 6 Tree Care ServicesWEEK 7 Sales, Landscape DesignWEEK 8 EstimatingWEEK 9 EnhancementsWEEK 10 Exterior Account ManagerWEEK 11 Intern’s Choice

 

Overview

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Week 1 & 2 – Exterior Maintenance Training: Rod Tomlinson

Work with the Production Specialist/crew leaders in transitioning to multiple job sites in performing landscape maintenance.

Participate in the daily dispatch of crews Develop a punch list Review training manuals for G2-4 Learn tips from Account Manager regarding how to build successful relationships

with crews.

Participate in tailgate safety meetings Understanding the tasks on hand that are required in successfully completing a

punch list with an existing job. Recognizing working with a team and being a team player

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Review irrigation safety procedures Learn proper nomenclature for irrigation fittings Demonstrate basic maintenance and repairs for irrigation problems

Nozzles Heads Lateral Lines Valves Main Lines Controller settings

Identify parts of the irrigation system (G3 training manual) Identify types of problems that need to be referred to an Irrigator Perform minor system repairs under the guidance of a Crew Leader or Irrigation

Account ManagerIdentify the scope and purpose of Irrigation Services in the branch

□ Review Training Manuals for: Irrigator Level I, and Irrigator Level II

□ Complete a PMI

□ Problem solving – dealing with operations, employees, clients– Intern will practice identifying problems and finding resolutions to a variety of real life

examples

Week 3 - Irrigation Training: Lauren Morris

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Planting Techniques Proper plant selection

Sun vs. shade Spreading vs. upright Water requirements

Installation of Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Cover Proper planting depth Identify root bound stock After installation watering Tree staking

When, why, & how

Week 4– Landscape Enhancements: Kevin Roy

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Week 5 – Agronomics: Curt Lindsey

Read and understand applicable safety guidelines for agronomic and spray operations

Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of tools and equipment for spray technician Intern will become certified in basic equipment. (backpack sprayer) Safety guidelines will be reviewed and followed at all times without exception

Demonstrate skills needed to perform spray technician duties Intern will review spray technician training manual

Work on with spray and agronomic professionals Intern will be assigned to a Crew Leader with strong coaching/mentoring skills and will

be assigned to either an English or Spanish speaking crew depending on intern’s experience

Intern will gain a thorough understanding of agronomic and spray operations Intern will be trained to apply fertilizer and actually make applications under the

supervision of an experienced applicator or Crew Leader demonstrating proper techniques.

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Read and understand applicable safety rules for Tree Care Services Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of tools and equipment for Groundsperson

duties Intern will become certified in basic equipment. Specialty tools and equipment will be

reviewed in particular situations where the student has arboriculture experience or arboriculture class work

Safety guidelines will be reviewed and followed at all times without exception Demonstrate skills needed to perform Groundsperson duties

Intern will review Groundsperson training manual Work on ValleyCrest Tree Care Services Crew for 3 days

Intern will be assigned to a Crew Leader with strong coaching/mentoring skills and will be assigned to either an English or Spanish speaking crew depending on intern’s experience

Intern will gain a thorough understanding of routine ValleyCrest Tree Care Services activities including: pruning, chipping and disposal

Week 6 - Tree Care Services: Carey Barlow, Josh Tankersley

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Week 7– Sales, Landscape Design: Susan Chapman, Tim Harris

Work with a Business Developer to understand the sales process ( 2 days) Generate a proposal

Develop a sales strategy Meet with client Meet with operations

Landscape Design ( 2 days) Developing design per clients request Using computer software program in preparing proposals with Photoshop Using ValleyCrest tools in preparing proposal per design with cost and production efficiency

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Estimating ( 2 days) New job site inspection Gathering appropriate information (i.e. inventory of what’s on site and job dimensions) Input information into ValleyCrest estimating system Prepare estimate for approval by branch and client

Week 8 – Estimating :Amanda Weilhamer

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Week 9– Landscape Enhancements: Kevin Roy

Planting Techniques Proper plant selection

Sun vs. shade Spreading vs. upright Water requirements

Installation of Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Cover Proper planting depth Identify root bound stock After installation watering Tree staking

When, why, & how

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Week 10 - Exterior Account Manager

Review our best business practices: New Job Start Up, Job Sequencing, Agronomic Plan, Estimating

Review how to read: Production Forecasting Program, 13 month report, District Report, Budget Intern will learn how to read reports and how reports are used Intern will gain hands on experience to analyze the degree of financial success on selected

jobs Determine how to calculate gross margin (GM)

Intern will learn how to calculate GM and will gain hands on experience analyzing selected jobs

Review how to improve GM using financial reports and field observations Problem solving – Learn how to successfully deal with operations, employees, clients Complete at least 1 walk through with client

Intern will review how to conduct a successful walk through from our Account Manager Training Program and gain hands on experience

Complete a client budget worksheet Intern will gain experience with another tool, our client budget worksheet. Student will

complete a work sheet for a current client

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Week 11 – Intern’s Choice Irrigation –Specialized Topics

Complete certification in Irrigator I and Irrigator II if possible Interns will be certified according to training manual guidelines

Perform water audits Complete a project from start to finish Irrigation system component ID

Intern should be able to ID these parts on sight Case study

Intern will solve problems after reviewing case studies involving: Problem ID and treatment Crew management Production rates Client concern/resolution

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Week 11 – Intern’s Choice Business Developer-Specialized Topics

Prepare one proposal and give a presentation

Complete sales process on one job from start to finish

Complete the Business Developer Basic Sales training modules

Case study

Intern will solve problems after reviewing case studies involving: Sales blitz on targeted area Analyze branches jobs by market, size, tenure, profitability Financial reviews of all new jobs less than 1 year with comparison to original

estimate Lost job analysis Renewal strategies

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Week 11 – Intern’s Choice Landscape Enhancement – Specialized Topics

Plant ID Interns will be able to identify the plant material most commonly used in your area:

25 Trees 20 Shrubs 5 Ground covers Seasonal flowers (3 per season) 3 turf varieties

Interns will use the landscape imaging computer program for design work (where applicable)

Interns will complete one job from start to finish Case study

Intern will solve problems after reviewing case studies involving: Crew management Operational efficiency Production rates Job financial assessment with action plan Client concern/resolution

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Week 11 – Intern’s Choice Exterior – Specialized Topic

Complete certification in G2, G3, G4 Interns will be certified according to training manual guidelines

Plant ID – Exterior Interns will identify the plant material most commonly used in your area:

25 Trees 20 Shrubs 5 Ground covers Seasonal flowers (3 per season) 3 turf varieties

Case study Intern will solve problems after reviewing case studies involving:

Horticulture problem ID and treatment Crew management Operational efficiency Equipment production rates Job financial assessment with action plan Client concern resolution