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Level 2 Arboriculture Apprenticeship

  • BERKSHIRE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
  • LEVEL 2

Course Overview

The arboricultural 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.

An arborist will undertake aerial tree work but may also be ground-based.

They do a range of tree work jobs with indirect supervision.

They are capable of supporting the tree work team across a range of basic technical skills.

Course Code

Z22CB002

Entry Requirements

Firstly you need to be recruited by an employer as an apprentice.

Employers will ultimately determine the entry requirements.

The apprenti...

Course information

– Recognise health and safety needs onsite and work safely.
– Take instruction from the job supervisor and other senior work colleagues to include signing onto the site specific risk assessment / emergency action plan and maintaining records.
– Select appropriate equipment for the loading and unloading of equipment safely.
– Set out workplace signage (highway & non highway) and assists with traffic control.
– Process tree work using appropriate machinery
– The benefits of trees.
– The use and application of arboricultural equipment.
– The principles of the establishment, growth and care of trees
– The principles and importance of identifying trees and the value of using their scientific names
– The principles and importance of identifying and managing pests, diseases and disorders of trees

24 Months

This programme will be delivered through a combination of practical hands-on and theory based activities, which are scheduled one day a week at the BCA campus.

With all apprenticeships there is a requirement to record off-the-job activities and this will be achieved through the use of a dedicated electronic on-line portfolio which the apprentice, the employer and the college delivery team will all have access to.

The apprentice will be assigned a dedicated Assessor Trainer, who will undertake regular workplace progress reviews with both the apprentice and
an assigned workplace mentor, as well as supporting all aspects of the apprentices ongoing development.

Furthermore, this approach ensures any additional support requirements or interventions can be implemented in a timely manner as required.
A Virtual Learning Environment ensures all learning, development and support material can be easily accessed, further supporting the blended learning and development approach to apprenticeship delivery. This ensures flexible and responsive training at all times, through a combination of on-line and face-to-face activities delivered by industry experts, using our high quality, industry recognised resources and equipment.

Assessment overview –
Skills, knowledge and behaviours are assessed by competencies being displayed in the workplace, observations, employer feedback, assessor progress reviews, evidence collating and the employer enabling you to fulfil the requirements of your Apprenticeship.

On programme assessment will include various coaching and mentoring assessment methods. These assessments are designed to review the behaviours, knowledge and skills against set gateway criteria.

In addition you, your employer and the college are required to maintain an off the job training log evidencing new skills and knowledge being learnt over the duration of the apprenticeship.

The final grading of the apprenticeship will be carried out through an End Point Assessment, by an independent assessor.

A Graded Apprenticehip Certificate
Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
– Level 2 award in safe use of brushwood chipper
– Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and
Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D
– Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
– Level 2 award in cross cutting timber using a chainsaw
– Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
– Level 2 award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness
– Level 3 award in aerial tree rescue operations
– Level 3 award in aerial cutting of trees using free
fall techniques
– Level 2 award in safe use of mobile elevated work platform
– Level 3 award in use of a chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)

– Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
– Level 2 award in safe use of brushwood chipper
– Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and
Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D
– Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
– Level 2 award in cross cutting timber using a chainsaw
– Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
– Level 2 award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness
– Level 3 award in aerial tree rescue operations
– Level 3 award in aerial cutting of trees using free
fall techniques
– Level 2 award in safe use of mobile elevated work platform
– Level 3 award in use of a chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)

The apprentice can become team supervisor and once more experience is gained could apply for Level 4 Arboriculturist.

Level 2

– Has a safety mind-set to protect self, colleagues and others
– Works effectively within a team/crew
– Consistently presents a professional manner both in appearance, language and behaviour
– Is reliable: consistently attends work and arrives on time
– Communicates effectively with the job supervisor, colleagues, clients and others toachieve the specification