Gabriella is in the Arborist Certified Pre-Apprenticeship program through the City of Milwaukee which is funded by Employ Milwaukee through Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Worker Advancement, and on a path to high-quality, high-growth employment Initiative. In the pre-apprenticeship, she learns key occupational skills about pruning, felling, tree healthcare, and tree identification. 

Prior to the pre-apprenticeship, Gabby completed the Fresh Coast Ambassador program, which connects Milwaukee high school students with careers in green infrastructure, when she attended a demonstration day with the city. Ambassadors planted trees and went into a bucket lift. This experience led to her interest in forestry and her current pre-apprenticeship. 

In the pre-apprenticeship, every week is dedicated to a different type of tree care, including planting, rigging, felling, and more. The pre-apprenticeship includes 12 weeks of classroom and field work. Once the pre-apprenticeship is completed, Gabby will move on to the Arborist Apprenticeship, which is three and a half years of on-the-job training and formal instruction, leading to a career in one of five tracks: Arborist Grounds Person, Arborist (Tree Climber), Urban Forest Technician, Tree Health Specialist, or Crew Leader. 

“I would highly recommend this program, especially, certainly, to people who are unsure of college and unsure of trade jobs,” Gabby said. 

Prior to her forestry work, Gabby always cared for the environment. A main career motivator for her was being able to give back and help the city that she was born and raised in. Click here to learn more about careers and training programs in urban forestry.