Summary
Care and maintenance of trees for their benefits and values in diverse urban and rural locations. 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.
Wage
£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
National apprenticeship wage on commencement but will be reviewed. All staff pay reviewed annually.
Training course
Arborist (level 2)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed between the hours of 7.30am - 3.30pm. Evening and weekend work is optional.
35 hours a week
Start date
Friday 1 May 2026
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
* All aspects of tree surgery
* Climbing and Felling
* Reduction
* Groundwork
* Logging
* Chipping
* Landscape gardening
* Fencing
* Patio work
* Garden maintenance
* Hedge trimming
Where you'll work
BURNT HOUSE FARM
MOATS TYE
COMBS
STOWMARKET
IP14 2HA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED
Training course
Arborist (level 2)
What you'll learn
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.
Training schedule
Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
* You will work for 35 hrs a week but some overtime may be required to complete a job
* Weekend work is optionalThere is a close down of approx 10 days over Christmas and New Year.
* Based at: Burnt House Farm, Moats Tye, Stowmarket IP14 2HA
* You will attend Writtle College, Lordship Road, Chelmsford CM1 3RR from 9am-5pm one day a week
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 2 or E)
* Maths (grade 2 or E)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Team working
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
* Reliable
* conscientious
Other requirements
All work is outdoors in all weathers apart from extreme conditions. Must be committed to completing the apprenticeship and comfortable working at height. This is a physical job. Our base is not accessible by public transport and it will not be practical to cycle in poor weather.