About the course
The occupation is found in arboricultural, utility, facilities management, woodland management and grounds maintenance organisations. These include local authorities, and commercial contracting businesses such as large ground-maintenance and arboricultural contractors. Self-employment is also a career option.
The broad purpose of the occupation is the care and maintenance of trees for their benefits and values in diverse urban and rural locations, from street trees, city parks and urban woodlands to country estates and private gardens. The industry manages trees adjacent to highways, railways, watercourses and power lines. The work of an Arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling of trees, and using machinery such as brushwood chippers.
Arborists play an important role in managing biodiversity by carrying out practical solutions in the management of trees, including at times those that are rare or in a heritage environment. The Arborist is not only tasked with the practical management of the ageing tree process, but the care of the next generation of trees, which will be vitally important for the future generations. This work includes the management of pests and disease, and formative pruning of young trees in order to form a good canopy structure for the longevity of trees.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with many different people during a typical working day, including managers, supervisors, contract managers to local tree officers and arboricultural consultants overseeing arboricultural works. Other interactions may involve stakeholders, clients, landowners, and organisations managing built infrastructure, for example utility companies, highways, street lighting, waterways, railways. The most important interactions will be with clients and members of the public and will involve using a range of communication methods and techniques from fielding complaints and concerns, to explaining why an arboricultural operation is to be carried out.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for applying best practice for the practical side of the arboriculture industry. This will include felling, climbing, pruning and dismantling of trees, and the use of machinery like woodchippers and stump grinders. Ground-based duties include preparing the work site, kit maintenance, formative pruning and hedge maintenance. An Arborist is also expected to maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, work together and be a collaborative team member. They will need an awareness of other colleagues' roles.
Entry requirements & additional information
A potential Level 2 apprentice: Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school. Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week. An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship. Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.
All Apprenticeships require Initial assessment, vocational skills scan, an interview and employment in the industry.
Typically, an applicant will have attained a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade E/2 or above including maths & English or a vocational qualification Level 1 plus GCSE grade E/2 or above in both maths & English. N.B. English & maths Functional Skills Level 1 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs. All potential apprentices will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications.
Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and Maths.
However English and Maths will still be delivered as an embedded part of the apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 19+, the apprentice or their employer can still choose for the apprentice to study towards and achieve English and Maths qualification. 'The college advises learners to keep studying English and maths to enhance their career prospects and facilitate progression to higher-level qualifications'.
The government will continue to fund those apprentices that wish to study towards an English and maths qualification.
Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability.
Thie is a work-based apprenticeship with some college attendance approximately 1 day per month, plus attendance for additional qualifications (short courses - tickets).
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
fail
pass
distinction
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
EPA gateway
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio, you must submit a portfolio of evidence
passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard
For the arborist, the qualification required is:
Level 3 award or training and assessment in emergency first aid at work minimum 1 day course (face-to-face), carried out by either an awarding organisation, a UKAS accredited trade body or voluntary aid society recognised by government as specified in HSE document GEIS 3.
City and Guilds Level 2 award in safe use of a manually fed wood chipper
Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D (chapter 8)
City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate of competence in chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting OR Lantra Awards L2 award in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting
City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate of competence in felling small trees up to 380mm OR Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate of competence in tree climbing and aerial rescue OR Lantra Awards Level 2 Award In accessing a tree using a rope and harness PLUS Lantra Awards Level 3 Award In aerial tree rescue operations
City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Using a Chainsaw from Rope and Harness OR Lantra Awards Level 3 Award In Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall techniques
Assessment methods
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 270 hours. They will ask you at least 8 questions.
Progress to more advanced roles within the arboricultural industry or further training such as the Level 4 Arboriculturust apprenticeship.
Many apprentices secure permanent employment and progress into higher roles after completing this apprenticeship.
All apprentices are required to have suitable employment in order to complete the programme.
A contract of employment must be in place and apprentices must be paid in line with minimum wage rules.
Programme costs are covered by employers through their digital apprenticeship service account.
Appropriate workwear for outdoor environments, commitment to learning and applying new skills.