Arborist Apprenticeship Standard (Tree Surgery)

Course information

The arboriculture industry manages trees for their benefits and values in diverse urban and rural locations from city parks and urban woodlands, to country estates and private gardens. The industry manages trees adjacent to highways, railways, watercourses and power lines.

An arborist may progress to undertake inspections and surveys of individual and woodland trees, advising landowners on how to care for their trees, or teaching others about the benefits of carefully managing trees.

The work of an arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling and using appropriate machinery such as brushwood chippers. Arborists can work for local authorities, private companies and many are also self-employed. Tree work can be physically demanding and involves working outdoors in all weathers.

While learning the practical side of arboriculture with your employer, you will also be required to attend college on a block release programme. While studying at Bicton College you can take advantage of the College’s estate, which houses an arboretum with veteran and specimen trees, machinery workshops, over 200 acres of extensive parklands and lots of opportunities for you to develop your arboriculture skills.

Do you live far from the college? No problem! Accommodation is available on site!

Prior to end point assessment you will need to achieve these qualifications:

*Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding) * Safe Use of Brushwood Chipper * Chainsaw Maintenance &Crosscutting Timber Using a Chainsaw * Felling & Processing Timber up to 380mm * Safe Use of Mobile Elevated Work Platform * Accessing a Tree Using Rope & Harness * Aerial Tree Rescue Operations * Use of a Chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) * Emergency First Aid * Aerial Cutting Using Free Fall Techniques *

All the above are included in the apprenticeship.

What You Will Learn

On top of all of the industry standard tickets, you will also learn:

Current environmental, wildlife and health and safety legislation, standards and codes of practice in relation to arboricultural works.

Electrical safety for working in the vicinity of power lines.

Prepare sites for planting, plant trees and provide support, protection and aftercare.

The principles of the establishment, growth and care of trees.

Identify pests, diseases, disorders and tree defects.

Identify a range of fungi that are detrimental to tree health.

Recognise a basic range of tree and shrub species using common and scientific names.

Take appropriate care of tools, equipment and customer property.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements: GCSEs in English and maths at grade 3. You will also need an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice, working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

For help finding anf employer please visit our apprenticeship hub page at: https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/hub/
Or use the government website https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

You can also arrange your own apprenticeship by approaching local businesses!

Assessment

You will be assessed on all industry tickets throughout your apprenticeship journey. Your theory work will be assessed and graded to ensure you achieve at the highest level you can.

Once you have completed all of your online e-portfolio, you will go through a Gateway, which is the start of your End Point Assessment.

This process includes 75 multiple choice questions, 3 practical assessments and a structured interview based on a holistic project that you will complete. You can achieve this apprenticeship at Pass or Distinction level.

Progression

An opportunity to progress onto a higher level arborist standard on completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.

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