Apprentice Arborist/ Tree Surgeon

Summary

The Arborist apprenticeship is the first step into your Tree Surgery career. Lasting around 21 months the apprenticeship offers day release college attendance at Sparsholt College, while working full time on the job with Scofell Landscapes. If you are hard working, enjoy working outside, and have a head for heights this apprenticeship is for you.

Annual wage

£18,785 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hourly wage of £8.50 an hour, including same rates of pay for college and training days.

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday ( 1 day each week during term time release for college), 7.30am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday & 7.30 to 4pm Friday from 1st March to 31st October & 7.30am to 4.30 Monday to Friday 1st November to 28th February.

42 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 30 September

Duration

1 Year 9 Months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As an Apprentice Arborist within this business, you will work as part of our expanding Tree team and undertake the work agreed with the customers to the highest level of professionalism.

You will assist with tree, shrub and hedgerow maintenance and management, including but not limited to:

Thinning, reducing and removing trees, using a range of appropriate equipment in a safe manner.
Carrying out ground works using a chainsaw, chipper, stump grinder and appropriate equipment for clearing up.
Removal of arisings created by a job from a client's site.
Planting trees where required.
Maintenance of all equipment used to undertake the role.
Processing wood bi-products for resale.

As part of the role we will support your ever growing knowledge of trees, shrubs, hedgerows and the environment with day release to college and other relevant training.

Where you’ll work

BANTERWICK FARM HOUSE

HAMPSTEAD NORREYS

THATCHAM

RG18 0SR

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Your training course

Arborist (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Recognise health and safety needs onsite and work safely

Complete site-specific risk assessments and emergency action plans

Select appropriate equipment for tree work operations

Set out workplace signage (highway & non highway) and assists with traffic control

Process tree work arisings using appropriate machinery

Maintain and take appropriate care of tools, equipment and other onsite factors (such as customer or public buildings etc.)

Recognise a variety of tree species using common names

Carry out a range of formative pruning operations

Carry out branch removal up to 200mm diameter with hand tools (target pruning for final cut).

Fell and process small trees up to 380mm diameter.

Support aerial tree workers with transfer of equipment for aerial tree work operations

Perform an aerial rescue of colleague from a rope and harness

Work safely at height in the tree under supervision

Communicate technical information about arboricultural operations to fellow team members, clients and other stakeholders as required.

Your training plan

An arborist will undertake aerial tree work but may also be ground-based. They do a range of tree work jobs with indirect supervision.
This apprenticeship is full time, with a day release college course at Sparsholt College. Additionally, this apprenticeship requires 23 additional days to attend over the 21 month period.
Training will take place on the job, as well as studying alongside at Sparsholt college.

More training information

The overall qualification is Level 2 Arborist, issued by The Institute of Apprenticeships. This apprenticeship covers mandatory licenses to practice including chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting, tree climbing and aerial rescue and more.

This apprenticeship covers tree identification, principles of tree and shrub care and growth, tree health and science, soil science and relevant legislation and health and safety.

The apprentice would also be required to undertake functional skills English and maths, should they not already hold these at GCSE or Functional Skills.

The following licence to practice qualifications you will gain as part of this apprenticeship and would be required prior to end point assessment are:

Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
Level 2 award in safe use of brushwood chipper
Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D
Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
Level 2 award in crosscutting timber using a chainsaw
Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
Level 2 award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness
Level 3 award in aerial tree rescue operations
Level 3 award in aerial cutting of trees using free fall techniques

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English & Maths (grade D/ 3)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English & Maths (grade C/ 4 or higher)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Logical
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Please consider how you will get to the employers address. This role involves working in all weather, and requires applicants to be physically fit.

About this company

We provide professional landscaping services to a range of clients in many industries and sectors, from business and retail parks to schools, hotels and more. Working alongside many of the National house builders, such as Taylor Wimpey, Bellway and Berkeley Homes we take on landscaping projects ranging from small exclusive developments to plot by plot for 500 units plus. Many of these projects start with the management of trees, woodlands, etc. Scofell has a tree surgery division, a landscaping division and a grounds maintenance division. All divisions compliment each other and we are often the preferred contractor due to our diversity within the landscaping industry and being able to offer clients the full range of services.

https://www.scofell.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Scofell Landscapes have had a consistent relationship with Sparsholt College, resulting in many full time positions upon the completion of the apprenticeship. Employer will discuss further benefits during interview stage.

After this apprenticeship

Aim to become team leader and undertake additional qualifications in utilities and as required.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

James Clements

james.clements@sparsholt.ac.uk

01962 797451

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000276155.

Apply now

Closes today at 11:59pm

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