Apprenticeship training course

Forest craftsperson (level 3)

There are 8 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Information about Forest craftsperson (level 3)

Carry out the practical operations required to create, maintain and harvest forests and woodlands.

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

  Knowledge

  • Health and safety legislation, codes of practice (including Forest Industry Safety Accord guidance) and policies, including risk assessment.
  • Biosecurity and environmental legislation, codes of practice and policies including pollution control.
  • Principles of silvicultural practice in the UK including those most commonly used, their application, and the UK Forestry Standard.
  • Methods to identify trees and woodland plants including botanical keys taking account of seasonality.
  • Plant and tree biology, physiology, lifecycles, growing conditions, landscape and timber properties.
  • Techniques for measuring standing trees.
  • Techniques for felling small trees and removing unwanted vegetation.
  • Techniques for planting, supporting and protecting trees and their suitability to different situations including site conditions.
  • Implications of tree establishment activities on the end product and impact on decision-making process.
  • Timber supply chain (for example timber markets and processing) and the actors within it including roles and responsibilities.
  • Maintenance requirements for forest infrastructure, for example boundaries and rides.
  • Maintenance, operational requirements and legislation for tools, equipment, machinery, vehicles and attachments.
  • Techniques for identification and control of tree pests, diseases and disorders, including impacts of pests and diseases on timber and the wider environment, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
  • The importance of maintaining records including digital records and reports.
  • Techniques for communicating with technical and non-technical audiences and the importance of effective communication in the workplace with colleagues, customers and the public.
  • Implications of changes in conditions, situations and working environments.
  • The importance of recording a portfolio of experience and learning to aid career progression.
  • Methods for storing, transporting and handling trees and importance for tree health and establishment.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Techniques for protecting and maintaining plants after planting including purpose, timings and suitability to site conditions.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Methods of managing and controlling unwanted vegetation throughout the life cycle of the tree(s).
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Methods for controlling vegetation or pests by chemical means (for example pesticides or organic equivalents).
  • (Harvesting) Harvesting and extraction systems including tree felling and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market.
  • The environmental, social and economic value of sustainable forest management.
  • Health and safety legislation, codes of practice (including Forest Industry Safety Accord guidance) and policies, including risk assessment.
  • Biosecurity and environmental legislation, codes of practice and policies including pollution control.
  • Principles of silvicultural practice in the UK including those most commonly used, their application, and the UK Forestry Standard.
  • Methods to identify trees and woodland plants including botanical keys taking account of seasonality.
  • Plant and tree biology, physiology, lifecycles, growing conditions, landscape and timber properties.
  • Techniques for measuring standing trees.
  • Techniques for felling small trees and removing unwanted vegetation.
  • Techniques for planting, supporting and protecting trees and their suitability to different situations including site conditions.
  • Implications of tree establishment activities on the end product and impact on decision-making process.
  • Timber supply chain (for example timber markets and processing) and the actors within it including roles and responsibilities.
  • Maintenance requirements for forest infrastructure, for example boundaries and rides.
  • Maintenance, operational requirements and legislation for tools, equipment, machinery, vehicles and attachments.
  • Techniques for identification and control of tree pests, diseases and disorders, including impacts of pests and diseases on timber and the wider environment, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
  • The importance of maintaining records including digital records and reports.
  • Techniques for communicating with technical and non-technical audiences and the importance of effective communication in the workplace with colleagues, customers and the public.
  • Implications of changes in conditions, situations and working environments.
  • The importance of recording a portfolio of experience and learning to aid career progression.
  • Methods for storing, transporting and handling trees and importance for tree health and establishment.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Techniques for protecting and maintaining plants after planting including purpose, timings and suitability to site conditions.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Methods of managing and controlling unwanted vegetation throughout the life cycle of the tree(s).
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Methods for controlling vegetation or pests by chemical means (for example pesticides or organic equivalents).
  • (Harvesting) Harvesting and extraction systems including tree felling and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market.
  • (Harvesting) Techniques for calculating timber in standing and felled trees.

  Skills

  • Plan, implement, monitor and review health, safety and welfare of self and others, including creating risk assessments, legislative requirements and organisational policies.
  • Plan, implement, check and report environmental mitigation measures, including legal compliance, organisational policies and risk assessment.
  • Identify common forestry trees and woodland plants using scientific names.
  • Measure trees for assessment of timber volumes.
  • Identify and control unwanted vegetation including felling small trees using hand and motor manual tools.
  • Plant trees including providing support and protection.
  • Monitor and maintain forest and woodland infrastructure for example boundaries and rides.
  • Operate and maintain tools, equipment and machinery safely in line with legislation and manufacturers guidance, for example winches, chainsaws or tractors.
  • Monitor and control the impact of pests, diseases and disorders.
  • Maintain records including digital records and reports.
  • Communicate to technical and non-technical audiences including the use of verbal and written techniques.
  • Interpret maps, plans and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
  • Store and dispose of waste in accordance with regulations, for example chemicals, organic and inorganic waste, pollution and biosecurity controls.
  • Load, unload and transport materials and equipment relative to the business.
  • Process information and communicate using digital technology for example emails, word processing software, video meeting software or applications for recording and sharing information.
  • Store and handle trees to minimise negative impacts and maximise establishment potential.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Protect and maintain plants after planting including weeding, cleaning, re-spacing, beating up and application of products to prevent unwanted vegetation (for example mulch mat).
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Improve quality of tree crop, including brashing and formative pruning.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Control vegetation or pests by chemical means (biocides or organic equivalents).
  • (Harvesting) Fell large trees motor-manually including use of assisted fell techniques.
  • (Harvesting) Use hand winches in forestry.
  • (Harvesting) Prepare timber for extraction including snedding, measuring, cross cutting and sorting timber to product specification.
  • Plan, implement, monitor and review health, safety and welfare of self and others, including creating risk assessments, legislative requirements and organisational policies.
  • Plan, implement, check and report environmental mitigation measures, including legal compliance, organisational policies and risk assessment.
  • Identify common forestry trees and woodland plants using scientific names.
  • Measure trees for assessment of timber volumes.
  • Identify and control unwanted vegetation including felling small trees using hand and motor manual tools.
  • Plant trees including providing support and protection.
  • Monitor and maintain forest and woodland infrastructure for example boundaries and rides.
  • Operate and maintain tools, equipment and machinery safely in line with legislation and manufacturers guidance, for example winches, chainsaws or tractors.
  • Monitor and control the impact of pests, diseases and disorders.
  • Maintain records including digital records and reports.
  • Communicate to technical and non-technical audiences including the use of verbal and written techniques.
  • Interpret maps, plans and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
  • Store and dispose of waste in accordance with regulations, for example chemicals, organic and inorganic waste, pollution and biosecurity controls.
  • Load, unload and transport materials and equipment relative to the business.
  • Process information and communicate using digital technology for example emails, word processing software, video meeting software or applications for recording and sharing information.
  • Store and handle trees to minimise negative impacts and maximise establishment potential.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Protect and maintain plants after planting including weeding, cleaning, re-spacing, beating up and application of products to prevent unwanted vegetation (for example mulch mat).
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Improve quality of tree crop, including brashing and formative pruning.
  • (Establishment & maintenance) Control vegetation or pests by chemical means (biocides or organic equivalents).
  • (Harvesting) Fell large trees motor-manually including use of assisted fell techniques.
  • (Harvesting) Use hand winches in forestry.
  • (Harvesting) Prepare timber for extraction including snedding, measuring, cross cutting and sorting timber to product specification.
  • (Harvesting) Select trees for harvesting.
  • (Harvesting) Calculate timber volumes using mensuration techniques.

  Behaviours

  • Takes ownership of work including attention to detail, spatial awareness and stamina.
  • Team-focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.
  • Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Puts safety first for themselves and others.
  • Respectful of others and tailors communication to audience.
  • Takes ownership of work including attention to detail, spatial awareness and stamina.
  • Team-focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.
  • Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Puts safety first for themselves and others.
  • Respectful of others and tailors communication to audience.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £14,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Forest craftsperson (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.