Summary
Are you interested in learning about trees, woodlands, arboriculture, arboretums and forest ecology, but new to the industry? Get the skills you need to start your career in arboriculture with our apprenticeships at an RHS Garden.
Annual wage
£22,308 a year
All RHS apprentices are paid the same wage regardless of age.
Training course
Arborist (level 2)
Hours
Mainly Monday - Friday, 07:45 - 16:15 with occasional weekend working (5 in 7 rota) - time taken off in lieu during the working week when this occurs.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Possible start date
Friday 1 August
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
* Carry out practical work, in all weathers and across the seasons
* Spend time with the Woodland and Arborist Garden teams
* Learn how to use appropriate techniques, tools and machinery, to cultivate, establish and care for our woody plant collections all year round
* Work safely and garden sustainably
Where you’ll work
RHS Garden Rosemoor,
Torrington
Devon
EX38 8PH
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
CORNWALL COLLEGE
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
* Training takes at Cornwall College Bicton Campus, East Devon, so the applicant must be prepared to travel away from home up to 6 weeks per year
* Up to 6 residential weeks on site as block release per year
More training information
Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
* Cornwall College (Bicton) is a rural, land-based college outside Exeter
* The Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship qualification is delivered by Bicton College, Salterton in Devon. The course and tickets are delivered at college by block release, there are approximately 6 discrete college blocks per year and you would be expected to stay on campus in the college accommodation for these blocks.
* All transport, food and accommodation costs are covered by the RHS
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 9-4)
* English (grade 9-4)
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
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
Applicants will need to be aware that arboriculture is a physical profession and work takes place outdoors in all weathers. Applicants must feel comfortable working at height and using heavy or hand held machinery such as chainsaws.