Apprentice Arborist Level 2 - Alexandra Palace
John O'Conner GM Limited
London (N22 7AY)
Closes in 21 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)
Posted on 7 November 2025
Contents
Summary
An Arborist apprenticeship position is available, working alongside existing teams delivering high-quality tree work across our portfolio of clients. A diverse range of work and opportunities for further growth and development.
- Wage
-
£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Arborist (level 2)
- Hours
-
7.00 to 15.30 Monday to Friday.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 January 2026
- 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
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with the maintenance, care and removal of trees and shrubs.
- Learn to identify tree species and assess their health and safety.
- Perform pruning, trimming and planting oftrees under supervision.
- Safely operate and maintain equipment such as chainsaws, wood chippers, and climbing gear. (These tickets will be provided throughout the apprenticeship).
- Assist with tree climbing and aerial lift operations.
- Learn and follow industry safety standards and procedures.
- Clean up job sites, including the removal of debris and wood.
- Support the arborist team in diagnosing tree diseases, pests, and other health concerns.
Requirements:
- A genuine interest in tree care and the environment.
- Willingness to learn and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Good physical fitness and ability to perform manual labour.
- Basic understanding of tools and machinery (training provided).
- Strong attention to detail and a safety-conscious mindset.
- Ability to work well as part of a team.
- Valid driver’s license (preferred), 17+ years of age, driving licence or willing to learn – JOC offers support for up front payment of lessons to be repaid over up to an 18-month period.
Where you'll work
Alexandra Palace
London
N22 7AY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
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
Full level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship.
Functional Skills where required.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Must be prepared to work outside in all weathers.
About this employer
Whether we are advising on the best species to plant, maintenance of existing trees or attending an emergency, our arboriculture services team at John O’Conner supports all your tree-care needs throughout the UK. We are an Arboricultural Association-approved contractor, giving you peace of mind that we meet all regulatory and professional standards for tree care services. Our team uses modern equipment and techniques to take care of routine tree and woodland management, including tree removal, pruning works, and stump removal and treatment. We undertake high-quality technical arboricultural operations to BS 3998:2010 standards, in compliance with industry codes of practice and within all required legislation. Highly qualified and experienced, we undertake regular training for our team to maintain and refresh expertise.
After this apprenticeship
Opportunity to be a full time arborist earning £40k per annum upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. Progression to team leader, supervisor, consultant and contract manager.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000350193.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)
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