Apprentice Arborist

Summary

Waterman Tree Co is recruiting an apprentice to join our practical tree work team. You'll learn to climb, fell and process trees alongside experienced arborists, working on residential, commercial and development sites, gaining industry-recognised qualifications with a clear progression route.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

£8.00/hr (Apprenticeship Minimum wage) for the first 6 months, with a pay review and increase to £9.50/hr from month 7 subject to satisfactory progress. Apprentices aged 19+ will move to National Minimum Wage in 2nd year. 

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday: 7.00am start, 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation, no regular weekend or evening work expected.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 June 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

As an apprentice Arborist with Waterman Tree Co. you'll be part of a small, hands-on team carrying out tree surgery and arboricultural work for residential, commercial and development clients. You'll start on the ground crew and progress to climbing as your skills develop, and your tickets are gained through Writtle College.

• Ground Crew duties: dragging brash, feeding the chipper, maintaining a clean and safe site, processing timber, loading vehicles, and supporting the climber on the rope.
• Tree work skills: learning to use chainsaws – under supervision and once certified, small fellings, sectional dismantling, and progressing to climbing and aerial work as competencies are built.
• Site setup and safety: setting up traffic management, cordoning work areas, daily kit checks, LOLER- compliant equipment handling, and adhering to industry safety standards.
• Client-facing professionalism: representing Waterman Tree Co. on residential and commercial sites, communicating respectfully with clients and the public, and leaving every site cleaner than you found it.
• Vehicle and equipment care: daily checks on the chipper, saws and ropes, plus learning basic maintenance and sharpening.

Where you'll work

Units 2 3 Easthall Cottages
Easthall Farm
Hertfordshire
SG4 8DJ

Training

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

Training provider

WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

What you'll learn

• 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

Monday to Friday 7.00am start and 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation. No regular weekend or evening work expected. Attending Writtle College (CM1 3RR) one day a week from 9.00am-4.30pm from October 2026.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 2 or above)
• Maths (grade 2 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
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Physical fitness
• Reliabilty
• Good timekeeping
• Follow safety instructions
• Comfortable working at height
• Practical, hands on attitude

Other requirements

Early starts; the working day begins at 7am, year-round. In the winter, this means leaving home in the dark and cold from November through February.

All weather – all year: you will be working outside in wind, rain, frost and heat. There are very few days when work stops for weather. You'll need appropriate gear and a tolerance for being uncomfortable.

Physically demanding: expect heavy manual handling every day, dragging brash, lifting timber, feeding the chipper, climbing trees with kit on. You will be tired at the end of each day, especially in the first few months.

At height: this role progresses to working in trees, often at significant heights and in awkward positions. You must be genuinely comfortable with this.

Travel between sites: we work across a wide area covering residential and commercial sites. Some days involve significant travel time, you'll need to be able to reach our yard for a 7.00am start.

High Risk Industry: chainsaws, climbing equipment, falling timber. Following safety procedures isn't optional, it's how you go home in one piece. We don't tolerate shortcuts.

Work Trial: We ask all candidates to complete a paid work trial of 2–4 weeks before signing the apprenticeship agreement.