Overview
The Arboriculture industry manages trees for the benefit of nature (diseased trees may be cut down to save surrounding trees, for example) and their value to humans in diverse urban and rural locations. This ranges from city parks and urban woodlands to country estates and private gardens. An Arborist may progress to undertake inspections and surveys of individual and woodland trees, advising landowners on how to care for their trees, or teaching others about the benefits of carefully managing trees.
The work of an Arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling, and the use appropriate machinery such as brushwood chippers.
Arborists can work for local authorities or private companies, and many are self-employed. Tree work can be physically demanding and involves working outdoors in all weathers.
An Arborist will undertake aerial tree work, but may also be ground-based. They perform a range of tree work tasks with indirect supervision. They are capable of supporting the tree work team across a range of basic technical skills.
Delivery
This apprenticeship will be delivered within the college and workplace, with ongoing support from a dedicated performance coach.
You will be required to attend college one day per week throughout the duration of the programme to learn the required Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours. You will also be required to attend college on additional days to complete your mandatory practical qualifications, each of which will be independently assessed by qualified National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) assessors.
On completion of the apprenticeship, you will undertake a one-day End Point Assessment, consisting of four practical elements and a professional discussion based on the portfolio of evidence you will create throughout the duration of the course.
Course content
UNITS
- The benefits of trees for people and the environment
- How to identify trees and the value of using their common names
- The principles of tree planting and establishment
- The use and application of Arboricultural equipment
- The principles and techniques for pruning trees
- How to identify and manage tree pests, diseases and disorders
- Current environmental, wildlife and health and safety legislation, standards and codes of practice in relation to Arboricultural works
- Legislation relating to trees e.g. Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas
- Procedures and specific instructions for dealing with incidents and emergencies
PRACTICAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Award in emergency first aid at work
- Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding)
- NPTC award in safe use of a brushwood chipper
- NPTC award in chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting timber
- NPTC award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
- NPTC award in tree climbing and aerial rescue
- NPTC award in chainsaw use from a rope and harness
Progression
On completion of this Apprenticeship, you can progress into a variety of roles in the Arboriculture sector supported by your industry-recognised qualifications.
You may choose to progress with your employer, change jobs or study a higher-level qualification.
Maths and English
You must have a minimum Grade 2 GCSE in Maths and English. Apprentices who are under 19 and haven’t achieved Grade 4 or above in GCSEs must complete Functional Skills in Maths and/or English alongside their Apprenticeship.
Typically 20% off-the-job training
Since the introduction of new apprenticeship styles in May 2017, every apprentice must spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training.
The required 20% off-the-job training hours will be
calculated via the apprentice’s contracted hours of work, holiday entitlement and length of the programme and will be clearly specified in our commitment statement.
This requirement doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect – and doesn’t even mean the apprentice has to be away from their workplace 20% of the time.
Apprentice wages
Every apprentice must be paid a lawful wage for the time they are in work and in off the-job training. The employer must meet the cost of the apprentice’s wages. An employer can only pay the apprenticeship minimum wage from the start of the apprenticeship programme and not before. You can find information on the national minimum wage, the apprenticeship rate, and the definition of an employee on GOV.UK.