Arboriculture Apprentice

Typical tasks/responsibilities

A career in arboriculture is best suited for those interested in the care and study of trees. An interest is necessary in working outdoors in a physically challenging environment with a good head for heights whilst keeping fit and learning new challenges in a continually changing environment – as every tree is unique in its own right.

Arborists manage trees, hedgerows and shrubs. The work is undertaken in both rural and urban settings and includes all aspects of felling, pruning, thinning, rigging, section felling, preserving, planting and protecting trees, sometimes using heavy equipment. They also provide information and advice on specific tree-related issues. There is an increasing focus on maintaining a safe relationship between the trees, their immediate environment and the general public.

The role of the Arborist is to carry out any required arboriculture works in a correct manner that meets the objectives in its environment and to industry standards. The arborist should possess the skills that enable him/her to carry out such work in a manner that doesn’t put them, their crew, or the general public at risk nor cause damage to existing structures, whilst meeting required standards.

On successful completion of the proposed apprenticeship, a person in the occupation of Arborist will be able to:

Knowledge

Equipment

• Distinguish the use and application of arboricultural equipment. Undertake a full range of tree surgery works using a range of equipment both from the ground and a tree. Take appropriate care of tools, equipment, customer property and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Awareness of the impact of the misuse of equipment.

Health & Safety

• Evaluate current environmental, wildlife and health and safety legislation, standards and codes of practice in relation to arboricultural works. Specialist knowledge of the legislation relating to trees e.g. Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas, Forest Service Felling Acts, electrical safety for working in the vicinity of power lines, Hazard Tree Assessments and Survey, Tree Protection for Construction Projects, Traffic Management, Traffic Management obligations, and basic electrical awareness for Utility Arborists.

Knowledge continued

Skills

Procedures

• Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of trees, the principles of their establishment, growth and the care of trees and shrubs. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of other disciplines, such as forestry.

Role Purpose

• Define the procedures and specific instructions for dealing with incidents and emergencies. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and distribution of electrical lines and different voltages in relation to this occupational field. Demonstrate competencies in pre-work planning assessments, following method statements and job aids which are site specific.

• Specify the principles and importance of identifying and selecting the different types of trees in relation to dendrology (scientific study of trees). Specify the importance of identifying and managing pests, diseases and disorders of trees in a range of contexts including municipal Arboriculture (Urban Forestry). Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of tree biology.

Scientific Principles

• Demonstrate proficiency in conducting surveys for underground cables and services. Select plants and design landscaping schemes. Appraise tree and plant inventories.

Structure and Design

• Apply specialist knowledge of tree biology for effective tree maintenance. Carry out tree inspections and supervised climbing surveys. Interpret soil testing. Supervise the long-term planning of placement and maintenance of trees. Advise regarding the preservation of existing trees and the suitability of development sites.

Maintenance and Planning

• Investigate and analyse a safety document – preparation, interpreting, applying meaning and justify decision. Pay specific attention to detail and the ability to recognise and understand the impact of health and safety needs onsite and work safely. Select appropriate equipment for the task. Load and unload equipment safely. Inspect plant material.

Analytical & Awareness of Impact

• Develop and maintain effective relationships both internally and externally. Develop appropriate conduct with job supervisor and other senior work colleagues to include signing onto the site-specific risk assessment/emergency action plan. Demonstrate an ability to delegate and ask for advice, where necessary. Demonstrate an ability to supervise a team. Demonstrate an ability to liaise with collaborating external providers.

Working Relationships

• Demonstrate all pre-work planning assessments, identifying all hazards associated with each project and communicate and put the necessary controls in place. Demonstrate and apply effective decision-making. Assess techniques and tools required for specific tasks and justify their use.

Planning & Prioritising

Skills continued

Communications

• Verbal Articulate effectively with the job supervisor, colleagues, clients and others to achieve the specific standards through providing clear and concise instructions. Conduct ‘toolbox talks’ with crew. Demonstrate clear communication skills and commands as climber and/or groundsman.

• Written Produce reports for engineers, solicitors, mortgage and insurance companies, provide evidence-informed information relating to trees, for example if a tree root system is damaging, or likely to damage a building or cause subsidence. Develop own SSWP (Safe System of Work Plan) meeting legislation.

• Listening Ability to listen and interpret instruction.

• Digital Produce and access documentation, e.g. Arbpro, email.

• Support aerial tree workers, both Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) operators and climbers, with transfer of equipment for aerial tree work operations. Perform an aerial rescue of a colleague from a rope and harness and a MEWP.

Team Working & Collaboration

• Demonstrate a range of ground-based pruning operations, e.g. fell and process trees, operate a chainsaw, wood chipper, stump grinder, MEWP, 360° excavator, forestry crane, tractor and all diagnostic equipment safely. Demonstrate technical ability in chainsaw climbing, pruning, felling, rigging, rope knots, chipping, rescue (hoist/climbing), advanced driving skills, tool and machinery maintenance, tree planting, safe techniques, inspecting and dismantling. Demonstrate an ability to conduct specialist tasks such as bracing, propping, rope assist felling and winching. Demonstrate groundsman duties to assist a climber. Demonstrate ability in hedge cutting with relevant machinery.

Technical Competencies

Dependability

• Display reliability: attends work and arrives on time. Willing to take direction and take responsibility for their work and the learning needs of others, within a professional and learning environment. Employs good listening skills.

• Present themselves in a professional manner both in appearance, language and behaviour both on and off the job. Obtain a good work ethic. Show an appreciation for Health and Safety. Follow safety rules and reflect upon and be mindful of procedures.

Professionalism

Adaptability

• Work effectively with a team/crew as well as on own initiative.

• Demonstrate a safety mindset to protect staff, colleagues and others.

• Demonstrate an ability to take on a job and see it through.

• Execute self-awareness and awareness of others and trees they leave behind.

Personal Commitment

Competencies continued

Agility and Aptitude

• Climb and rig with a very good level of physical fitness. Be competent and confident working at heights with an aptitude for outdoor pursuits. Maintain high levels of physical fitness.

Temperament

• Work well under pressure. Exercise patience and calm.

Industry/industries served by the proposed apprenticeship

Currently, Arboriculture has a low level of regulations apart from individual health and safety programmes that are required from an insurance point of view. The arboriculture industry in the UK, Europe and Australia is well established. In Ireland, the industry is mostly made up of individual employers who are operating independently of each other and all acknowledge they need to bring in an internationally recognised standard to improve the industry. All businesses contacted to date have reported issues with enticing and retaining people in the industry. The lack of a chosen career path enabling employability within the industry is cited as leading to issues with retention.

Members of the Consortium from industry are North West Forest Services, Kilcoyne Tree Surgery, Treepro, ESB Networks, with representation from the Arboriculture Association – Ireland, Ballyhaise College, Teagasc and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology.

In addition, through employer engagement meetings, the following employers were consulted: Ian Alcock Tree SUS, Barbers Tree Services, Cosgrove Tree Services, MIMA Sky, Healion Tree Care, King Tree, Teagasc, Branching Out Tree Care (BOTC), Midland Tree, CMarbor, McGovern Forestry, Redwood and Twin Oak Tree Care. The findings from these meetings have informed the content of this Occupational Profile.

Proposed minimum entry requirements for apprentices on the programme

From contact with stakeholders in the industry, potential issues with literacy and numeracy have been identified. GRETB has a well-developed support structure already used within apprenticeships to help participants with any literacy and numeracy issues. GRETB has developed a ‘Study and Learning Handbook’ along with an ‘Introductory Maths Course’ which is intended to be adapted for use with this apprenticeship.

This innovative approach intervenes at Phase 1 of the apprenticeship cycle to support apprentices on their journey to successfully completing all phases of their apprenticeship as well as providing an integrated literacy and numeracy service.

The following are the proposed minimum entry requirements:

• Must be employed by an ‘approved employer’.

• Level 4 Award or equivalent.

• Non-EU applicants will be subject to work permit regulations.

• Apprentices must provide evidence demonstrating English language competence at B1 in reading and writing.

OR

• Have a minimum of 12 months’ relevant experience in a related trade and/or Arborist employment.

• Attend interview with Subject Matter Expert and GRETB personnel.

Proposed minimum entry requirements continued

• Non-EU applicants will be subject to work permit regulations.

• Apprentices must provide evidence demonstrating English language competence at B1 in reading and writing.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) will be adjudicated through applications from potential apprentices who are seeking to use RPEL for access onto the programme. Once received, an RPEL process will be conducted to address formal and non-formal learning through one-to-one consultations with supporting documentary evidence and assessment of application. GRETB is developing a policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.