L2 Arborist Apprentice

Summary

Are you interested in learning about trees, woodlands, arboriculture, arboretums and forest ecology, but new to the industry? Get the skills you need to start your career in arboriculture with our apprenticeships at an RHS Garden.

Annual wage

£22,308 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

All RHS apprentices are paid the same wage regardless of age.

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Mainly Monday - Friday, 07:30 - 15:30, with occasional weekend working (5 in 7 rota) so time taken off in lieu during the working week when this occurs.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Friday 1 August

Duration

2 years

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

Carry out practical work, in all weathers and across the seasons. Our garden teams work outdoors all year round and wet weather clothing will be supplied as part of your uniform
Spend time with the Arborist team
Learn how to use appropriate techniques, tools and machinery, to cultivate, establish and care for our woody plant collections all year round
Through combined training (at college and in the garden) you will learn new skills and techniques with plants and equipment to become a competent arborist
Work safely and sustainably in order to make a positive difference to our green spaces and minimise the risk posed by pests and diseases

Where you’ll work

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Leigh Road

Worsley

Manchester

M28 2LJ

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

MYERSCOUGH 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.
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

Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

Training takes at Myerscough College Lanceshire
There are a small number of residential short courses so the applicant must be prepared to travel away from home on occasions
The course is delivered by day release (1 full day on campus and 1 optional online day each month), but there are a small number of residential blocks for specific training (such as MEWP and CS-38) which take place over a number of days so will require the learner to stay at college for 3 or 4 nights, maybe twice a year.

More training information

The course commences in October and learners will complete the college training in March (of the 2nd year) ready to complete the final end point assessment before the end of July
All transport, food and accommodation costs are covered by the RHS
Myerscough College is a rural, land-based college, just off the M6 north of Preston

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 9-4)
English (grade 9-4)

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
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Applicants will need to be aware that arboriculture is a physical profession and work takes place outdoors in all weathers. Applicants should feel comfortable working at height and using heavy and handheld machinery such as chainsaws.

About this company

As a charity, we want to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants, promote the value of gardens, demonstrate how gardening is good for us and explain the vital role that plants play. The RHS is committed to be an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds to stay inclusive and avoid indirect discrimination.

https://www.rhs.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free tickets to our amazing flower shows: RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court Palace and RHS Tatton Park for friends and family. Employee discounts in gift shops, garden centres and online

After this apprenticeship

Full-time employment in the arboricultural industry
Further studies or professional training in arboriculture
Wider industry experience or travel with bursaries

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

School of Horticulture (work based training)

schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000296063.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 March

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Apply using the link above. More information can be found at https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/work-based-training/rhs-apprenticeships

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