Arborist Apprentice

Summary

South Hams and West Devon Councils are offering an exciting opportunity to join their team as an Arborist apprentice! Gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours to kickstart your career in this exciting industry.

Wage

£16,950.44 a year

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Benefits we offer include: -competitive salary -up to 30 days per year plus bank holidays -work-life balance through our Ways of Working Policy -excellent Local Government Pension -electric car salary sacrifice & cycle to work scheme

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Arborist (37hours/ wk) 07:00 to 15:00 (M-Th) 07:00 to 14:30 (Fri) When the clocks change for winter 07:30 to 15:30 (M-Th) 07:30 to 15:00 (Fri) All times include 30min unpaid lunch.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 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

Carry out green space maintenance duties, including but not limited to the following:

Process tree work using appropriate machinery
Maintenance of hedges including cutting; Identify pests, diseases, disorders, and tree defects
Prepare sites for planting, plant trees and provide support, protection, and aftercare
Carry out a range of ground-based pruning operations
Maintenance and implementation of landscaping schemes
Carry out tree felling, rigging, pruning and complex tree work operations to enhance the Council’s commitment towards greater biodiversity
Carry out general labour duties including but not limited to loading/ unloading equipment and vegetation, planting trees, applying fertilisers, clearing vegetation, and climbing
Operate all machinery, tools, and equipment in a safe and appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and Council policy, ensuring that these are kept clean, secure, and serviceable
Maintain accurate records including timesheets, work confirmations, machinery defect reports and incident forms

Where you'll work

South Hams District Council Totnes Depot
Babbage Court
Babbage Road
Totnes
TQ9 5AJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CORNWALL COLLEGE

Your training course

Arborist (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

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.

Your training plan

The apprenticeship is delivered from Bicton College, in the form of block weeks. The apprentice will spend their working time with the employer, and roughly every 6 weeks they will spend a full week at Bicton College. Accommodation is available on site
You will be working towards a Level 2 Arborist apprenticeship standard
You will receive on and off-the-job training and support from an assessor and an Apprenticeship Advisor

More training information

Tickets include:

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 crosscutting 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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 3/D)
Maths (grade 3/D)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental

Other requirements

Car parking will be available at the depot, and there are bus and train links to Totnes. Individuals will be regularly out and about across the area and will travel with other members of the team. Applicants must: - Be comfortable working in adverse weather conditions and generally outdoors in all weather. - Have an ability to make effective use of computer systems including Microsoft office databases. - Have an understanding of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, safe work security, confidentiality, and data protection. - Be good working at heights. - Ability to work as part of a team. - Commitment to learning.

About this company

With around 570 staff across South Hams and West Devon we share the workload of both councils. We are rightly proud of our workforce. Two councils, one team. Situated in one of the most beautiful locations imaginable, the South Hams is a haven. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 60 miles of stunning coast and countryside, there is nowhere quite like it. Rolling hills give way to picturesque coastlines, dotted with ancient woodlands, thriving towns and picture-postcard villages. Each one plays a vital role in shaping our future and driving our economy. There are many incredible reasons to work for South Hams and West Devon and by joining us you’ll be opening the door to our great range of staff benefits. We want all our colleagues to feel valued for their hard work and contribution to our award-winning councils. That’s why we have a comprehensive ‘Reap the Rewards’ scheme. So here is what you can have if you join our team! Benefits we offer include: • a competitive salary • up to 30 days per year (pro rata for part-time) plus the national bank holidays • work-life balance through our Ways of Working Policy • excellent Local Government Pension • electric car salary sacrifice scheme and cycle to work scheme • leisure centre membership discount scheme • head office free car parking • CSSC sports and leisure discounts, plus discounts at leisure centres in our area • eye tests and glasses scheme • home electronics scheme As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in their job applications. We guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria for a position. Additionally, we strive to help our disabled employees remain in their roles by making reasonable adjustments to their work patterns, equipment, or other necessary accommodations. We're keen to make sure wherever you are on the corporate career ladder, we help you to climb those rungs! We know that you want to be in a rewarding place with real opportunities to develop your career. That’s why we have great training opportunities, leadership development and essential learning through our learning portal. Together with personal development appraisals, regular one-to-one meetings with line managers and clear goal setting, your future is in good hands. So, if you’re starting out with an apprenticeship, or even retraining in a new skill, all the way up to a master’s degree level certificate, it’s all available. If you progress, we have a happy, brilliant team member who will continue to grow and develop while also benefiting the Councils. It’s a win-win for everyone.

https://www.southhams.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

-leisure centre membership discount scheme -head office free car parking -CSSC sports and leisure discounts, plus discounts at leisure centres in our area -eye tests and glasses scheme -home electronics scheme

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Dependent on role availability individuals could progress to an arborist role, or within the grounds maintenance team, however there are also many opportunities across the wider Community Services team and the wider councils.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: