Arborist Apprentice

STANWAY PARISH COUNCIL

ESSEX (CO3 0RH)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 18 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 August 2025


Summary

To assist with the development of new 2 hectare woodland, under the guidance of the Forestry Commission and 2 hectare grass land looking at ways to improve bio-diversity in the community. To carry out grounds maintenance, facilities inspections, minor repairs, litter management and contractor oversight across Parish Council-managed land.

Wage

£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Arborist (level 2)
Hours
Working week hours (Monday-Friday) to be agreed, and may be reduced during the winter period and increased during the summer months.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 7 October 2025

Duration

2 years

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

  • Take care of the development of a new 2 hectare woodland and 2 hectare grassland park
  • Mow grass, strim, weed, and maintain existing green areas (seasonal)
  • Monitor and work towards maintaining existing tree stock
  • Water plants and trees as required
  • Inspect fencing, seating, signage, footpaths, and sheds under instruction; report issues to Senior Grounds Person/line manager
  • Undertake remedial or instructed maintenance work on Council owned assets, including vandalism and graffiti repairs
  • Undertake training to qualified standard for visual and operational playground inspection
  • Prepare burial ground ash and/or grave plots
  • Salt spread during icy conditions.
  • Litter pick and report hazardous waste
  • Maintain bins and dog waste facilities, emptying skip bins as needed
  • Supervise contractors, subcontractors and volunteers as directed
  • Post and remove agendas/notices as directed
  • Attend community events as directed to assist officers and councillors (may involve the occasional evening and/or weekend)

Where you'll work

VICTORY HALL
VILLA ROAD
STANWAY
ESSEX
CO3 0RH

Training

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

Training provider

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

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.

Training schedule

Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

  • You will work at various locations within Stanway Parish, including but not limited to Swan Green, Stanway Community Centre and Playing Field, Lucy Lane South Park, Silver Witch Green Park, Comb Meadow Natural Burial Ground, Jansma Park and designated footpaths and bus shelters. 8am – 4am weekdays (with chance to work earlier in hot weather and/or later in inclement conditions – therefore, within the timeframe of 7am-5pm) Flexible based on seasonal tasks and frequency schedule; some evening or weekend work may be required depending on events or emergencies
  • You will attend Writtle College CM1 3RR one day a week from 9am-5pm

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 2 or E)
  • Maths (grade 2 or E)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Ability to work unaided and with own initiative Ability and willingness to communicate with the public and colleagues. Ability to use technology ie., Windows/Email/Apps Manual strength for jobs involved and working day duration. Reporting and taking direction from supervisors Clean driving licence and use of car Willingness to attend other training courses on playground inspection and bio-diversity. Must be computer competent for communicating with colleagues and monitoring equipment (on app)

About this employer

Local Council maintaining land assets with Stanway, Colchester.

http://www.stanway-pc.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • After completeion of the apprenticeship, you will be interviewed for a  permanent position

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000335243.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 18 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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