Open Space Apprentice (Arboriculture)

Tendring District Council

Essex (CO15 6AY)

Closes in 11 days (Monday 10 August 2026)

Posted on 28 July 2026

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Summary

Tendring District Council is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Open Space (Arboriculture) Apprentice to join our Open Spaces team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working towards a nationally recognised Level 2 Arboricultural qualification through Writtle University College.

• Wage:

  £15,434.30 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  If you're 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you're entitled to the minimum wage for your age.

• Training course: Arborist (level 2)
• Hours: You will be required to work a maximum of 37 hours per week spread flexibly across five days and includes your time at college. Shifts TBC.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 1 October 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 9 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

Working alongside experienced Arboricultural professionals, you will learn a wide range of practical skills including:

• Tree inspection
• Pruning, felling, and maintenance of trees under the control of the council.
• Tree planting
• Learning the safe use of Arboricultural machinery, tools, and equipment.
• Understanding the responsible application of herbicides and pesticides.
• Developing tree knowledge and Arboricultural techniques throughout the year.
• Contributing to the maintenance and improvement of public open spaces across the district.

This role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and across all seasons.

Where you'll work

Northbourne Depot
Clacton on Sea
Essex
CO15 6AY

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

As part of your apprenticeship, you will:

• Work towards a Level 2 Arboricultural qualification.
• Attend Writtle University College (minimum of one day per week or as required).
• Complete college assignments and workplace learning activities.
• Receive mentoring and support from experienced Arboricultural staff.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Mathematics (grade 4)

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

Skills

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

About this employer

Tendring District Councils (TDC) main offices are based in Clacton-on-Sea, the largest town. Other towns are Brightlingsea, Harwich, Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze along with a number of rural areas. Economic Growth sits within the Economic Growth and Leisure department and work closely with the Creative & Cultural team as well as Planning and Assets.

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

Company benefits

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
Generous leave entitlement
Free parking
Discounted Corporate Gym Membership
A number of Salary Sacrifice initiatives

 

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

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

There are many opportunities for progression within Tendring District Council - many apprentices stay within the department they undertake their apprenticeship with others apply for positions and work in other departments. Many apprentices also progress onto a higher apprenticeship. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045066.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Monday 10 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.