Apprentice Arborist
THOMPSON TREE SERVICES (UK) LTD
MATLOCK (DE4 4FR)
Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 2 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Thompson Tree Services is looking for an apprentice Arborist. The role will involve working as part of a team, undertaking a variety of duties across general arboricultural operations, and complying with company standards & industry best practice.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
First 12 months will be £8 per hour so £16,640 annually. Regular pay reviews throughout the period of the course.
- Training course
- Arborist (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
- Recognise health and safety needs on-site and work safely
- Take instructions from the job supervisor and other senior work colleagues to include signing onto the site-specific risk assessment/emergency action plan and maintaining records
- Select appropriate equipment for the task. Load and unload equipment safely
- Set out workplace signage (highway & non-highway) and assist with traffic control
- Process tree work arising using appropriate machinery
- Take appropriate care of tools, equipment, and customer property
- Recognise a basic range of tree and shrub species using common and scientific names
- Identify pests, diseases, disorders, and tree defects
- Carry out a range of ground-based pruning operations
- Fall and process small trees
- Support aerial tree workers both Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) and climbing with transfer of equipment for aerial tree work operations
- Perform an aerial rescue of colleague from a rope and harness and a MEWP
- Work safely at height in the tree under supervision
- Prepare sites for planting, plant trees and provide support, protection and aftercare
- To follow all company policy and guidance in order to ensure that work does not adversely affect the environment
- To follow all company policy and guidance in order to ensure that the work is completed to an excellent standard
- To perform any other duties that may be required by the Supervisor, Arboricultural Manager, Operations Director, or Managing Director
- Daily contact is Dave Robinson (Operations Director)
Where you'll work
ASHLEIGH HOUSE
CROMFORD ROAD
WIRKSWORTH
MATLOCK
DE4 4FR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DCG
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
Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship Standard:
The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 2/E or above)
- Maths (grade 2/E or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
This is a physically demanding job that is based outdoors all year round. It involves the use of machinery and requires you to work at height. There may be opportunities for weekend or night work. If we are interested in taking your application further, you will receive an email from a Derby College email address (@derby-college.ac.uk). Please make sure that you check your inbox as well as your spam/junk folders, so you do not miss out on the opportunity to apply. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply, please submit your application as early as possible.
About this employer
Thompson Tree Services UK Ltd are an arboricultural contracting and consultancy company based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Established in 2009, we have gained an enviable reputation for supplying professional, high quality tree care and vegetation management services throughout the United Kingdom and across all industry sectors.
After this apprenticeship
- A full-time permanent contract
- Further training/CPD and career progression
- Skilled arborist
- Supervisor
- Contracts manager
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DCG
Lauren Stapleton
lauren.stapleton@derby-college.ac.uk
01332387420
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034610.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 11:59pm)