Tree Surgery Apprentice (Arborist)

Summary

Olivers Tree Services are 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

Training course

Arborist (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8.50am - 4.00pm. Weekend work is available and paid as overtime.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 21 September 2026

Duration

1 year 9 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

Whilst in training and working towards your qualifications, you will:

• Recognise Health and Safety needs on-site and work safely
• Take instruction 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 assists 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 a 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 business

Where you'll work

UNIT 3
LANGLEY PARK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
WITTON GILBERT
DURHAM
DH7 6TX

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)

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

Arborist Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

• Training will be delivered in the workplace and via college attendance to East Durham College's Houghall Campus in Durham 1 day per week for the duration of the apprenticeship
• East Durham College, Houghall Campus, Houghall, Durham, DH1 3SG

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 3 or above)
• Math's (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

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

A driving licence is desirable for this role.

Can you travel to this location and be on time for 7.00AM? 

Do you meet the criteria for this role? 

Are you willing to climb a minimum of 15 meters off the ground into the canopy of a tree (this is the minimum for End Point Assessment)?