Arborist/Tree Surgery Apprentice

MR JOSHUA WATSON

Saffron Walden, CB10 2UA

Closes on Saturday 29 March 2025

Posted on 12 February 2025


Summary

Josh Watson Tree Services is based near Saffron Walden, Essex and boasts almost 20 years' experience in arboriculture. We are offering an opportunity for someone to begin their career in arboriculture, gaining valuable experience alongside their training. As a small business we can offer hands on experience with one-to-one training from day one.

Wage
£15,115.10 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay reviews every 6 months

Training course
Arborist (level 2)
Hours
7.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday (including college day)

38 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 29 April

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

We work largely in the private sector, specialising in carrying out high quality tree care, hedge cutting and woodland management.  

Over the course of the apprenticeship, duties will include but are not limited to: 

* Liaising with customers and the public with politeness and respect

* Loading and unloading tools and equipment 

* Brush clearance and chipper operation 

* Hedge cutting

* Chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting

* Felling and processing small/medium trees

* Assisting an arborist in various duties and rigging

* Climbing and aerial rescue

* Tree pruning- reductions, deconstructions, thinning and shaping

 

 

Where you’ll work

Bendysh Hall Farm

Ashdon Road

Radwinter

Saffron Walden

CB10 2UA

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

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

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

Bendysh Hall farm, Ashdon Road, Radwinter, Saffron Walden CB10 2UA

Working 38.5 hrs a week.  Monday to Friday (including college day) 7.30am-4.30pm.

Attending Writtle College one day a week, Lordship Road, Writtle CM1 3RR.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 2 or E)
  • Maths (grade 2 or E)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Working in an outdoor environment in all weathers, manual handling, working with machinery, rural location, working under pressure.

About this company

Josh Watson Tree Services is based near Saffron Walden, Essex and boasts almost 20 years' experience in arboriculture. We work largely in the private sector, specialising in carrying out high quality tree care, hedge cutting and woodland management.

After this apprenticeship

Completion of the apprenticeship offers the opportunity for a full-time position as a qualified arborist. 
 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000303131.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 29 March 2025

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