Arborist Apprentice - High Wycombe – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

John O Conner (JOC) GM Ltd has vacancies for arborist apprentices across its depots in England. As an apprentice arborist, you'll cultivate and manage trees, hedgerows and shrubs. The work is undertaken in both rural and urban settings and includes all aspects of felling, preserving, planting and protecting trees.

Wage

£22,360 a year

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Whilst on the apprenticeship pay will be reviewed on the completion of each practical assessment and gaining of qualifications.

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 7 May 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

As an apprentice arborist, you'll cultivate and manage trees, hedgerows and shrubs. The work is undertaken in both rural and urban settings and includes all aspects of:

Felling
Preserving
Planting and protecting trees
Using heavy equipment
Adhering to health and safety requirements on site
Ground clearance
Team work
Chainsaw work upon cert completion
Climbing at height
Strimming
Lifting and bending
Using large and small machinery
Fencing
Stump grinding
Site clearance

Please note that you will be involved in all sorts of work from
tree work to grounds maintenance. A great job if you like variety.

Where you’ll work

Wycombe Air Park
Booker
Marlow
SL7 3DP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

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

Level 2 Standard Arboriculture Apprenticeship
Weekly day release into Berkshire College of Agriculture
Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English if you do not hold a 4 / C or above at GCSE Level or equivalent
An assessor will visit you in the workplace every 6-8 weeks, or more frequently if required
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (Ofqual registered) minimum 1-day course
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
Level 2 award in safe use of mobile elevated work platform
Level 3 award in use of a chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4 / C or above)
Maths (grade 4 / C or above)

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
Customer care skills
Initiative
Physical fitness
Positive Attitude
Enthusiastic

Other requirements

You will need to be physically fit and want to climb at height. Work outside in all weathers. You will have to be able to lift. Possible early starts.

About this company

Founded in 1969, John O’Conner is a privately owned grounds maintenance company that keeps people at its heart. We are dedicated to the continuous development of each and every employee, and that commitment is reflected by the high quality services we deliver to our clients. Operating throughout the UK, we provide extensive grounds maintenance, arborist and landscaping services to both public and private sectors.

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

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Possible full-time job upon completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

Business Services

business.services@windsor-fores.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000307519.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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Arborist Apprentice - High Wycombe

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