Apprenticeship training course

Professional arboriculturist (level 6)

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Information about Professional arboriculturist (level 6)

Managing peri-urban and urban trees.

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

  Knowledge

  • Techniques for undertaking tree works to industry safety standards, including British Standard 3998 (as updated), relevant to the site and operation including complex, valued and unusual trees.
  • Principles and regulation for managing trees in the context of design, planning and construction including British Standard 5837 (as updated) for the relevant site and operation, including complex, valued and unusual trees.
  • Factors for planting and establishing trees to independence in the landscape for example designations, soil type, landscape type, biosecurity, tree population resilience, ecosystem services and local ecology, safety standards and regulations, (for example British Standards 8545 as updated) and best practice guidance (for example from the Arboricultural Association, the Institute of Chartered Foresters, National Tree Safety Group, Forest Research)
  • Tree inspection and assessment methodologies and equipment including up to date available technology
  • Legislation, regulation and best practice guidance (for example from Arboricultural Association, Institute of Chartered Foresters, National Tree Safety Group) in relation to trees and their management.
  • Purpose and components of proactive tree strategy incorporating risk assessment methodologies and emergency planning for extreme weather events.
  • Tree classification, nomenclature (for natural and cultivated plants), species requirements, vulnerabilities and characteristics.
  • Benefits of trees for people, air quality, nature, the environment, ecosystem services and natural capital. The concept of green infrastructure design within planning and the role of trees in planning policy.
  • Woodland management principles and techniques for supporting amenity and biodiversity.
  • The role of policy and strategy in local, organisational and national governance.
  • Tree valuation methodologies, their benefits, weaknesses and use for different purposes.
  • Sources of funding and income for arboricultural activities (including grant funding) and techniques for writing businesses cases and grant applications.
  • Functions and value of tree management systems and software. For example: GIS, CAD, MS Products, Building Information Modelling (BIM)
  • Legislation, regulation and guidance in relation to Health and Safety for people, machinery, tools and equipment (for example Working at Height, LOLER, PUWER, AFAG, COSSH) to include principles of workplace risk assessment and management, and the production of method statements.
  • Methods for community and stakeholder engagement, their value and techniques for evaluating results.
  • Communication techniques (for example written, listening, oral) and tools (for example social media, presentation software).
  • The arboricultural profession and how other professions are, or could be, aligned with arboriculture.
  • Requirements of tendering and procurement processes. For example, rules of financial limits, legal challenge, managing contractors and or clients, and forms of contracts.
  • Soil science and interaction between trees, biotic factors and soil type.
  • Interaction of trees with the built environment including direct or indirect damage to infrastructure, SuDS (Sustainable drainage systems), rooting volumes, utilities and subsidence.
  • Responsibilities and requirements of acting as an expert witness including understanding the role of the expert witness in legal proceedings. For example, their duty to the court and being aware of CPR (Civil procedure rules) Part 35.
  • Properties of ancient trees, veteran trees and trees of historical or cultural significance and the implications for tree management and planning decisions.
  • Principles of managing organisational systems and processes.
  • Principles of managing people.
  • Principles of relationship management and techniques for managing own performance.
  • Principles of providing sales and marketing services to clients.
  • Principles of managing tree pests and diseases.
  • Principles of tree population management including survey and inspection regimes.
  • Principles of managing finances and budgets.
  • Techniques for creating and interpreting maps and plans.
  • Research, data collection and analysis techniques, including reliable sources of arboricultural information.
  • Principles of project management.
  • Tree structure, physiological and metabolic processes and implications for management.

  Skills

  • Provide professional advice including on legal frameworks and environmental legislation.
  • Collect and evaluate arboricultural information and research papers including the identification and analysis of data trends.
  • Identify trees and their site requirements.
  • Create and interpret maps and plans.
  • Communicate technical and non-technical information using various methods and formats. Including verbal, written and electronic (methods) and graphs, tables, images and maps (formats).
  • Use GIS and CAD software.
  • Create business cases.
  • Interpret policy, legislation, regulation and organisational best practice.
  • Procure arboricultural services through a contract awarding or a tendering process.
  • Inspect trees in relation to abiotic and biotic tree health, structure, physiological condition and suitability for location.
  • Specify tree works to achieve defined objectives and which promote long-term tree health, quality standards, biosecurity measures, tree risk management and nuisance management.
  • Create a tree strategy to include application of tree risk management principles to inform decision making.
  • Apply tree valuation methods to inform decision making.
  • Specify tree planting and aftercare requirements. Including species selection, technical planting guidance and planting plans.
  • Identify existing and potential threats of tree pests and diseases; and plan management actions to prevent, treat and mitigate their impact on people, trees and habitats including any relevant legislation.
  • Choose the appropriate tree health and stability measuring and or monitoring technology (for example structural stability assessment equipment, biological activity monitors).
  • Manage own performance, identifying improvements and training requirements. Seek clarification when necessary, know limits of expertise and when specialist input is required.
  • Engage stakeholders impacted by changes to trees and manages their expectations.
  • Manage tree survey and inspection regimes for the strategic management of trees.
  • Find solutions in challenging and complex situations.
  • Lead and manage projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Promote the organisation, products or services.
  • Assess and evaluate soil in relation to tree establishment, growth and health.
  • Manage employees, contractors or volunteers including compliance with employment legislation, health and safety, inclusion, performance, quality, training, recruitment, development and evaluation of processes to improve the efficiency and productivity of others.
  • Manage organisational systems. For example recording, monitoring or reporting systems.
  • Set, monitor and manage budgets
  • Manage professional relationships and interactions with others including negotiation, collaboration, advocacy, chairing and participating in meetings.
  • Advise on the management of trees in the context of design, planning and construction.
  • Advise on the management of trees in relation to the built environment.
  • Assess the type, purpose, benefits, condition and quality of woodland.

  Behaviours

  • Act with integrity, for example being open and transparent in dealing with clients and stakeholders, including confidentiality.
  • Communicate respectfully with clients, stakeholders and colleagues and take into account diversity, inclusivity and equality.
  • Act in a professional manner including taking responsibility for own actions and being respectful of others.
  • Adopt and promote a safety culture within the organisation and act with regard to health, safety and wellbeing for self and others.
  • Embed sustainable working practices and systems aligned with carbon reduction targets and other environmental policies
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Qualification level: 6; Equal to degree
• Course duration: 36 months
• Maximum funding: £22,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Professional arboriculturist (level 6) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.