Forest Craftperson Apprenticeship Level 3
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out the practical operations required to create, maintain and harvest forests and woodlands.
Course Details
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Department
Forestry and Arboriculture -
Qualification
Level 3 -
Length
2 Years -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
Most employers will specialise in either establishment and maintenance, or harvesting. Employees in both sub-sectors would be expected to be aware of the full range of forestry operations, and to understand the commercial, environmental and social impacts of forestry. Employees in both sub-sectors would be expected to be aware of the full range of forestry operations, and to understand the commercial, environmental and social impacts of forestry.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
L3 Apprenticeship Standards require the Apprentice to have prior experience in the Sector and be working in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours required.
You will have already achieved L1 (as a minimum) & L2 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (or old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where applicants do not already hold L2 Maths & English, they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these prior to enrolment.
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
for students over the age of 19 please contact us
Course summary
Establishment and maintenance operatives will carry out the range of duties required to prepare the ground, plant trees and undertake ongoing maintenance, including weeding, beating up and pruning.
Harvesting operatives will carry out the range of duties required to fell, process and extract trees and timber. This occupation works predominantly in either established forests, woodlands or on open land. They need to be able and willing to do practical work outdoors in all weathers. Forestry and woodland sites are often in remote locations and the ability to travel independently to access sites is advantageous.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues including land owners, team leaders or work supervisors, and forest craftspersons. They may need to communicate with members of the public and other land management operatives in the course of their work.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for initiating and completing their own work to specification, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines.
They are responsible for meeting quality requirements and working in accordance with legislation, environmental, health, safety and welfare considerations.
They are accountable for the health and safety of themselves and others.
They are expected to exercise responsibility, autonomy and judgement within limited parameters.
They perform tasks that are complex and non-routine and may be in a variety of contexts.
Forest operatives are responsible for checking their tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) are maintained and safe to use. They report to team leaders and or works supervisors.
Key Information
Duties and knowledge, you will undertake either at college or in the workplace are:
- Implement health and safety legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies
- Implement biosecurity legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies
- Implement pollution control in line with legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies
- Plant trees
- Clear vegetation
- Measure and select trees for removal.
- Fell small trees.
- Maintain forest infrastructure
- Operate and maintain forestry tools, equipment and machinery.
- Monitor and control the impact of pests, diseases and disorders.
- Maintain records including digital records and reports.
- Communicate with supervisor, colleagues, public and others
- Use geographical tools including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), maps and plans.
- Forest establishment and maintenance – Manage vegetation (for example pruning and high pruning)
- Forest establishment and maintenance – Maintain trees (for example weeding and respacing.)
- Forest harvesting –Measure and select trees for harvesting
- Forest harvesting –Harvest trees and prepare timber for extraction
- Forest harvesting –Extract timber
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The maximum duration for this apprenticeship training period is 24 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End Point Assessment.
This could be reduced where an apprentice holds previous experience.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
L3 Apprenticeship Standards require the Apprentice to have prior experience in the Sector and be working in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours required.
You will have already achieved L1 (as a minimum) & L2 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (or old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where applicants do not already hold L2 Maths & English, they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these prior to enrolment.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training, where fees are applicable. We will discuss this with your employer when we complete a set-up with them.
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation.
Click here to find more information about the National Minimum wage.
Employer involvement
Your employer must enable you to spend a minimum of 20% of your usual work hours undertaking off-job learning. This is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties, and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
Off-job learning could include the following:
– Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training
– Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
– Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the End Point Assessment. They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction.
College input
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, provide well planned vocational training and theory delivery by block release model and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
This programme is delivered at our York Campus on Block-release.
How to apply
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website. This form can be found at: https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/application/register.
Upon receipt of your application, you will have an interview with the Course Manager.
Further information
Further information is available on:
Arborist / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
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York Campus
York is one of the College's two residential campuses and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
Student Stories
Siobhan’s Story
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Ryan’s Story
“Choosing the level 3 Arboriculture course was a big decision being a 31-year-old self-employed landscape gardener. I am now at the end of my first year and there is no looking back. I have come on leaps and bounds professionally. I have already expanded my business into arboriculture with the skills and knowledge I have learnt. Askham Bryan College has been an eye opener and I've learned skills that I will take through my entire life.”
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