Advanced Technical Certificate in Forestry and Arboriculture

Course information

So you want an adventurous job working outdoors, solving problems and perhaps climbing trees or working with chainsaws. Perhaps Forestry and Arboriculture would work for you?

The first thing you’ll notice about the course is that you will be learning both how to do the work and the reasons behind why it should be done that way. You can expect to spend one third of your time developing practical skills and two thirds on learning the theory and science.

You will be thinking about trees from planting tiny whips to the biggest in the forest. You’ll be learning about how trees grow, what their needs are and how we manage them to benefit the wild environment, forests, woodlands, towns and gardens. You can expect to learn the practical skills of chainsaw work and felling trees, how to assess the risk of trees failing and the trees relationship with fungi and other pests and disease. For many arborists climbing is a skill used every day and you can develop the skills to climb safely in the biggest trees for the purposes of inspection, pruning or removal.

In our workshop and store we have a wide range of professional equipment including modern professional quality chainsaws, climbing equipment with which you can learn a wide range technique, a commercial chipper and stump grinder. Infact everything we need for you to develop the set of skills that you need to make a strong contribution when you start in the industry.

You’ll be learning from professionals with experience across the industry who are there to give you the very best start to your career.

What You Will Learn

This one year course will study tree biology and the relationship trees have with the environment, pest and diseases. You will learn about how trees contribute to the environment and society and how tree professionals make decisions about the selection of tress and their management in different situations.

You will learn the use of chainsaws including maintenance and felling trees, you will learn to climb safely and how to use larger equipment like chippers and stump grinders.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

4 GCSE’s including English and Maths at grade 4.

Work Experience

Work experience can be with one or multiple placements. Most students will work with an arboricultural company getting real world experience with chainsaws, chippers and climbing, but it is equally valid to consider a tree nursery, a consultancy or forestry situation.

Assessment

You will be assesed via practical assesments, written assignments and exams.

Progression

As a level 3 course, this diploma is all about setting you up for a professional career in forestry and arboriculture. You could choose to get on the tools and work as a contract climber or chainsaw operator. You could take your studies further right up to level six and work towards being a chartered forester.

Students with level 3 qualifications have gone onto work as climbers in other countries, team leaders on utility work or set up their own business. Often the minimum qualification for being a council tree officer is level 3.

Bicton College

Bicton College

Bicton College is based in East Devon, near Exeter, and set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just two miles from the Jurassic Coast. The historic Georgian mansion, commercial farm, animal husbandry school, modern veterinary nursing building, world-class engineering and heavy plant machinery workshop, walled garden and arboretum are all set in over 200 hectares of historic parkland.

Find out more about our Bicton campus

Events

Open Event

Bicton College

Open Event at Bicton College

• 18 Jan 25
• 26 Apr 25

Taster Event

Bicton College

Taster Day at Bicton College

• 17 Feb 25
• 28 May 25