Apprentice Arborist
KOOKABURRA ENVIRONMENTAL LTD
HOUGHTON LE SPRING (DH5 9JY)
Closes in 15 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 18 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Kookaburra Environmental are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Level 2 Arboriculture Apprentice. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in tree care and management while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Arborist (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 07.30 - 16.30 (with evening and weekend work as required)
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 21 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
- Assist with a range of arboricultural operations, including:
Tree planting, pruning, and felling
Hedge cutting and vegetation management
Use of tools and machinery (e.g. chainsaws, wood chippers - once trained) - Support site preparation and clearance work
- Maintain equipment and ensure tools are used safely
- Follow all health and safety procedures and risk assessments
- Work as part of a team in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions
- Attend college or training provider sessions as required
Where you'll work
HOLMLEA
NORTH ROAD
HETTON LE HOLE
HOUGHTON LE SPRING
DH5 9JY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
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.
Training will take place 4 x days per week in the workplace with 1 x day release to Houghall Campus per week.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3 or above)
- Maths (grade 3 or above)
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Interest in arboriculture
- Aged 18+
Other requirements
The sucessfull applicant will need to be
- Comfortable working at height and in all weather conditions
- Have a full UK drivers' licence
- Be aged 18+ (for insurance purposes)
About this employer
Kookaburra Environmental Limited (formerly Kookaburra Tree Services LTD) was established in 2016 to provide specialist tree services, to commercial and industrial customers in rail, construction, environmental and water services.
We are based in the North East of England with no job too big or small.
We operate nationally for commercial clients as well as providing domestic tree services throughout the North East.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Potential full-time employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
Adam Heslop
adam.heslop@eastdurham.ac.uk
01915185589
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037713.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)