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, 07:30 - 15:30, with occasional weekend working (5 in 7 rota) so 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. Our garden teams work outdoors all year round and wet weather clothing will be supplied as part of your uniform
* Spend time with the Arborist team
* Learn how to use appropriate techniques, tools and machinery, to cultivate, establish and care for our woody plant collections all year round
* Through combined training (at college and in the garden) you will learn new skills and techniques with plants and equipment to become a competent arborist
* Work safely and sustainably in order to make a positive difference to our green spaces and minimise the risk posed by pests and diseases
Where you’ll work
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Leigh Road
Worsley
Manchester
M28 2LJ
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
MYERSCOUGH 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
Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
* Training takes at Myerscough College Lanceshire
* There are a small number of residential short courses so the applicant must be prepared to travel away from home on occasions
* The course is delivered by day release (1 full day on campus and 1 optional online day each month), but there are a small number of residential blocks for specific training (such as MEWP and CS-38) which take place over a number of days so will require the learner to stay at college for 3 or 4 nights, maybe twice a year.
More training information
* The course commences in October and learners will complete the college training in March (of the 2nd year) ready to complete the final end point assessment before the end of July
* All transport, food and accommodation costs are covered by the RHS
* Myerscough College is a rural, land-based college, just off the M6 north of Preston
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
* Creative
* 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 should feel comfortable working at height and using heavy and handheld machinery such as chainsaws.