Apprenticeship training course

Forest operative (level 2)

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Information about Forest operative (level 2)

Managing trees, plants and the environment in forests and woodland.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Current forestry, environmental, health and safety and plant health legislation and codes of practice in relation to forestry work
  • The principles of silviculture including a range of silvicultural systems and their application
  • The identification of the forest and woodland tree species important in the UK
  • The key threats, pests and diseases affecting UK trees and woodland
  • The timber supply chain including the roles of the Landowner, Forest Works Manager, Contractor and Agent
  • Basic mensuration
  • Harvesting and extraction systems, and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market
  • The long-term effects of tree establishment, and the factors affecting the decision making process
  • Current forestry, environmental, health and safety and plant health legislation and codes of practice in relation to forestry work
  • The principles of silviculture including a range of silvicultural systems and their application
  • The identification of the forest and woodland tree species important in the UK
  • The key threats, pests and diseases affecting UK trees and woodland
  • The timber supply chain including the roles of the Landowner, Forest Works Manager, Contractor and Agent
  • Basic mensuration
  • Harvesting and extraction systems, and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market
  • The long-term effects of tree establishment, and the factors affecting the decision making process

  Skills

  • Maintain good standards of practice in: health and safety; plant health and biosecurity; pollution avoidance and control
  • Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, colleagues, public and others
  • Ability to follow both verbal and written/pictorial instructions (eg maps, planting plans)
  • Maintain tools, machinery and equipment
  • Carry out maintenance of chainsaw and cross-cut felled timber
  • Fell and process: trees up to 380mm by hand tool and chainsaw
  • Control the impact of pests, diseases and unwanted vegetation
  • Use hand winches in forestry
  • Fell and process trees over 380mm, including assisted felling techniques
  • Accurately measure and record the volume of both standing and felled timber
  • Sort timber to product specification
  • Prepare sites for planting and/or natural regeneration including: maintain and repair open drainage systems, fencing and boundary features and infrastructure
  • Maintain good standards of plant and materials handling and storage
  • Plant trees and provide support and protection
  • Carry out non chemical and chemical post planting protection and maintenance, beating up, weeding, respacing, and cleaning operations
  • Carry out brashing, formative pruning and high pruning
  • Maintain good standards of practice in: health and safety; plant health and biosecurity; pollution avoidance and control
  • Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, colleagues, public and others
  • Ability to follow both verbal and written/pictorial instructions (eg maps, planting plans)
  • Maintain tools, machinery and equipment
  • Carry out maintenance of chainsaw and cross-cut felled timber
  • Fell and process: trees up to 380mm by hand tool and chainsaw
  • Control the impact of pests, diseases and unwanted vegetation
  • Use hand winches in forestry
  • Fell and process trees over 380mm, including assisted felling techniques
  • Accurately measure and record the volume of both standing and felled timber
  • Sort timber to product specification
  • Prepare sites for planting and/or natural regeneration including: maintain and repair open drainage systems, fencing and boundary features and infrastructure
  • Maintain good standards of plant and materials handling and storage
  • Plant trees and provide support and protection
  • Carry out non chemical and chemical post planting protection and maintenance, beating up, weeding, respacing, and cleaning operations
  • Carry out brashing, formative pruning and high pruning

  Behaviours

  • Strong work ethic, including reliability, pride in work, attention to detail, spatial awareness and stamina
  • Ability to work effectively both within a team environment and as a self-motivated lone worker
  • Willingness to learn and contribute to own continuing professional development
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Ability to adapt to changes in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments
  • Strict compliance with and disciplined approach to identification, management, mitigation and avoidance of risks and hazards for both safety and the environment
  • Strong work ethic, including reliability, pride in work, attention to detail, spatial awareness and stamina
  • Ability to work effectively both within a team environment and as a self-motivated lone worker
  • Willingness to learn and contribute to own continuing professional development
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Ability to adapt to changes in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments
  • Strict compliance with and disciplined approach to identification, management, mitigation and avoidance of risks and hazards for both safety and the environment
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 24 months
• Funding: £12,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • forest operative
  • forestry worker
  • forest craftsperson
  • lumberjack

View more information about Forest operative (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.