Summary
G. Bridgland are looking to take on two new apprentices to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and knowledgeable organisation. The majority of our work comes from long-standing relationships with private customers, and we also have a 5-year contract with Kent County Council working on street trees within West Kent.
Wage
£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Training course
Arborist (level 2)
Hours
Monday-Friday, between 07:30 - 16:00 and some weekend work.
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 5 May 2025
Duration
1 year 6 months
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
The apprentice's duties will vary day-to-day. When they first join, they will undertake:
* The dragging of felled wood and trees
* Wood chipper duties
* Clearance jobs
As they progress, the apprentice's duties will vary to include:
* Climbing
* Using chainsaws
Once confident, an apprentice will be climbing each day.
Where you’ll work
HEATHWOOD TIMBER YARD
MARDEN ROAD
CRANBROOK
TN17 2LP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
PLUMPTON 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
The apprenticeship has a blended learning model with a mix of in-college practical and theoretical learning over three-day blocks on a monthly basis between October and January and in March and June. Online knowledge delivery and quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation and assessments throughout the apprenticeship.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4)
* Maths (grade 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
* Customer care skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Physical fitness
* Hard-working
* Eager
Other requirements
The apprentice will start at our yard, however the work is all over the West Kent area. Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. During peak season, early starts will be required. Being prepared for this is important.