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Level 2 Arborist Standard

About the course

The arboricultural industry manages trees for their benefits and values in diverse urban and rural locations from city parks and urban woodlands, to country estates and private gardens. The industry manages trees adjacent to highways, railways, watercourses and power lines. An arborist may progress to undertake inspections and surveys of individual and woodland trees, advising landowners on how to care for their trees, or teaching others about the benefits of carefully managing trees. The work of an arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling and using appropriate machinery such as brushwood chippers. Arborists can work for local authorities, private companies and many are also self employed. Tree work can be physically demanding and involves working outdoors in all weathers. An arborist will undertake aerial tree work but may also be ground-based. They do a range of tree work jobs with indirect supervision. They are capable of supporting the tree work team across a range of basic technical skills.

Course modules

Additional Qualification(s)

Additional Qualifications

The following qualifications will be required prior to taking the end point assessments: * Level 2 award in emergency first aid at work * Level 2 award in safe use of brushwood chipper * Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D * Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance * Level 2 award in crosscutting timber using a chainsaw * Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm * Level 2 award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness * Level 3 award in aerial tree rescue operations * Level 3 award in aerial cutting of trees using free fall techniques * Level 2 award in safe use of mobile elevated work platform * Level 3 award in use of a chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)

Combined Competence and Knowledge Qualification

Skills, Knowledge & Behaviours

An apprentice will be required to undertake & have an understanding of a number of different core skills, knowledge & behaviours to complete this apprenticeship. Please see factsheet for more information.

Functional Skills

Functional Skills

Level 1 Mathematics & Level 1 English

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Entry Criteria

A potential Level 2 apprentice:

Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school.

Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship.

Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.

Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.

All Apprenticeships require Initial assessment, vocational skills scan, an interview and employment in the industry.

*Typically, an applicant will have attained a minimum of 4 GCSE grades D/E or 2/3 including both Maths and English. Functional Skills Level 1 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs.

Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability

Learning and assessment

Theory work & learning materials delivered online with photographic, video & audio evidence being collected through the Onefile E-Portfolio platform, supported by off site technical training one day per fortnight at Myerscough College.

The employer will have access to their apprentices Onefile E-Portfolio so they can monitor progress & work that has been set by the tutor.

The qualification is made up of a number of mandatory units designed to have maximum relevance to the job & integrate with day to day responsibilities.

An employer must allow an apprentice 20% of their working week to undertake work required to complete their apprenticeship (this is a legal requirement) & will include any college attendance required.

There will be an end point assessment, conducted by an independent assessor.

The End Point Assessment will contain 4 components, all components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprenticeship standard and will consist of:

  • Holistic project
  • Online multiple choice knowledge tests
  • Practical tests
  • Structured Interview

There will be 2 levels of achievement: Pass and Distinction

In the unlikely event of an apprentice needing to resit an End Point Assessment (or elements of the End Point Assessment), then the employer will be responsible for funding these additional costs.

Progression

Apprentices successfully completing the Level 2 Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Arboriculture or other Further Education courses.

Careers

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of this Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained, but could include: Tree Surgeon, Forestry Worker, Woodsman.

Arboriculture at Myerscough

Myerscough introduced the UK’s first Foundation Degree, the first Honours Degree, the first online Degree and, most recently, the first Masters Degree in Arboriculture. We have a highly experienced team of staff who are well regarded in the industry and regularly deliver training and seminars to those working and researching the subject. The College boasts fantastic arboriculture facitilities and is home to the purpose built National Centre for Arboriculture, a state of the art teaching facility for the subject.

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Everything you need to know about taking on an Apprentice with Myerscough College as well as the benefits and support available.

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Oldham Apprentices with WB Tutor David Hilton.jpg
Oldham Apprentices with WB Tutor David Hilton.jpg

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