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Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship Standard

About the course

This occupation is found in arboricultural, utility, facilities management and grounds maintenance
organisations. These include local authorities, arboricultural consultancies, estates, commercial
organisations and charities. The broad purpose of the occupation is to undertake tree inspections and
surveys, recording information on tree management databases and to evaluate each tree individually.
Although evaluating a tree requires balancing a wide range of factors and is complex and varied by nature,
Arboriculturists focus on well-defined and more commonly found situations. The Arboriculturist would be
supported when dealing, for example, with ancient or veteran trees, those that are rare, those that are of
historical or cultural importance or those involved in subsidence.


They supervise contractors undertaking specified tree works and can check for the safety of the site and
quality of work. Arboriculturists comply with legislation in relation to trees including making sure relevant
authorities have approved work to be undertaken. They provide tree related advice – management and
law. They manage woodland, having oversight of budgets, make grant applications and preparing quotes.
They manage clients and engage with the public. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation
interacts with colleagues, the general public, stakeholders, clients, landowners, lawyers, insurers, budget
holders and organisations managing built infrastructure (for example utility companies, highways, street
lighting, waterways, railways).


An employee in this occupation will be responsible for:
• Assessing tree health and risk
• Managing contractors
• Dealing with complaints
• Understanding and applying law relating to trees
• Planning and prioritising survey requirements to ensure work delivery and discharge of legal Duty of
Care and to prepare and assess planning applications
• Complying with legislation and regulation regarding trees, woodlands and forests to include tree
preservation orders, conservation zones, felling licenses and other designations.

Please download the full factsheet for details of the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated with this apprenticeship programme. 

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Entry Criteria 

A potential Level 4 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 cannot undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, unless 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 C or 4 including both Maths and English. Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs. Learners will also need to be able to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and experience within their job roles to meet the requirements of the programme.  A Level 3 qualification in a suitable discipline will be required. 

Candidates without a Level 3 qualification may be able to complete a 1-year transition programme with Myerscough College prior to commencing the apprenticeship.

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  

Please also note that candidates without a Level 3 qualification may be able to complete a 1-year transition programme with MC prior to commencing the apprenticeship. 

Learning and assessment

At a point where employer, tutor and apprentice feel is appropriate, apprentices will undertake an
end point assessment, which is carried out by a separate approved organisation, independent
from Myerscough College.
The end point assessment will contain 4 discrete assessment methods:
• Practical demonstration with questions
• Short answer test
• Multiple choice test
• Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio that showcases work carried out in assignments produced for each module.

There will be 2 levels of achievement: Pass & 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.

Careers

The broad purpose of the occupation is to undertake tree inspections and surveys, recording information on tree management databases and to evaluate each tree individually. Although evaluating a tree requires balancing a wide range of factors and is complex and varied by nature, Arboriculturists focus on well-defined and more commonly found situations. The Arboriculturist would be supported when dealing, for example, with ancient or veteran trees, those that are rare, those that are of historical or cultural importance or those involved in subsidence.  They supervise contractors undertaking specified tree works and can check for the safety of the site and quality of work.

Arboriculturists comply with legislation in relation to trees including making sure relevant authorities have approved work to be undertaken. They provide tree related advice – management and law. They manage woodland, having oversight of budgets, make grant applications and preparing quotes. They manage clients and engage with the public.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, the general public, stakeholders, clients, landowners, lawyers, insurers, budget holders and organisations managing built infrastructure (for example utility companies, highways, street lighting, waterways, railways).

Professional accreditations

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Arboricultural Association for Technician Member
  • Chartered Institute of Horticulture for Membership

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.

Why study an Apprenticeship?

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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Myerscough College Apprentice Case Studies
Myerscough College Apprentice Case Studies

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Myerscough College Traineeships

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