Apprentice Arborist

Summary

As an Apprentice Arborist, you will learn how to manage and maintain trees in urban and rural environments, working as part of a professional arboriculture team. This role is ideal for someone passionate about nature, physical outdoor work, and developing a career in tree care and management.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

After successful completion of year one, apprentices (18+) will be paid the RLW (currently £12.60ph)

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 16:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

Assist with tree pruning, felling, and removal under supervision.
Learn to safely operate and maintain arborist tools and machinery (e.g. chainsaws, chippers)
Participate in tree planting and aftercare
Work at height using ropes, harnesses, and climbing techniques
Clear sites and maintain equipment
Follow health & safety procedures and industry best practices
Attend training sessions and complete coursework as required by the apprenticeship framework
Support senior arborists and team members as needed

Where you'll work

40 Harris Lane
Shenley
Radlett
WD7 9EG

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

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

Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

Attend Company/Site induction
Attend individual and team, monthly training as directed
Continuous personal development opportunities to be taken where possible

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C or above)
Maths (grade 4/C or above)

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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Duties are conducted outside in all weather conditions. The nature of the role will involve the lifting and movement of heavy objects.

About this company

Nurture was founded by Peter Fane in 2008, who is still involved with the company as Executive Chairman. Since then, the Nurture Group has grown rapidly both through organic growth and through acquisitions of carefully chosen businesses. It is now a national award-winning service provider, operating across 6 service towers - through 5 established industry brands. We are a proud industry trailblazer supporting the real living wage to over 2,600 directly employed colleagues, providing an integrated service to a wide and diverse client base across the UK. Our clients span across a diverse and broad range of disciplines, from corporate headquarters, science parks, shopping centres, business and industrial parks, to leisure facilities, schools, sporting venues, hotels, universities, public open spaces and the public sector.

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

Apprentices who complete the 18-month course will progress into a permanent position with ongoing opportunities for increased earnings, training and advancement to team leader positions

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