Find an apprenticeship
Arborist Apprentice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Description
We have a long association with Merrist Wood College employing many once the course is completed. The experienced climber team is supported by team-based ground workers. Operations often include rigging systems and cherry pickers. We are very much a customer-focused company.
Wage: £16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
Training course: Arborist (level 2)
Hours: 40
Lunch break length: varies 15 to 60 minutes
Start Time: 7.30am
Finish Time: 3pm approx
Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 2
What you'll do at work
- Morning yard duties in preparing vehicles with equipment
- Working with the manager and team leader to ensure a safe and efficient working environment
- Assisting with customer enquiries on jobs
- Preparing chainsaws etc for use by climbers
- Working as a team in processing timber/foliage
- Willingness to take responsibilities
Where you'll work
140 SURBITON HILL PARK
SURBITON
KT5 8EW
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
Training course: Arborist (level 2)
What you'll learn
- Recognise health and safety needs onsite and work safely
- Complete site-specific risk assessments and emergency action plans
- Select appropriate equipment for tree work operations
- Set out workplace signage (highway & non-highway) and assists with traffic control
- Process tree work arisings using appropriate machinery
- Maintain and take appropriate care of tools, equipment and other onsite factors (such as customer or public buildings etc.)
- Recognise a variety of tree species using common names
- Carry out a range of formative pruning operations
- Carry out branch removal up to 200mm diameter with hand tools (target pruning for final cut).
- Fell and process small trees up to 380mm diameter.
- Support aerial tree workers with transfer of equipment for aerial tree work operations
- Perform an aerial rescue of colleague from a rope and harness
- Work safely at height in the tree under supervision
- Communicate technical information about arboricultural operations to fellow team members, clients and other stakeholders as required.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Training schedule
- Level 2 Arborist
- 18 Month course
- Day release - Merrist Wood
- Dedicated Performance Coach
- Functional Skills maths and English if applicable
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- Maths and English (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Other requirements
- An ability to work in varied weather conditions through the year
- A good degree of physical fitness
- Good teamwork/communication skills
About this employer
We have been in business since 2002 covering tree work in the SW London area. We are focused on private works including tree work with TPO and Conservation Area status. The team has 2 transit tippers with towed chipper units and an extensive range of Stihl power tools
Company benefits
- To be mentored by qualified ground operatives and climbers
- Yard is at Court Farm Garden Centre next to Tolworth railway station
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). We encourage progression through the company via courses and in-service training. We take on many Merrist Wood students full-time upon course completion. As an example, the current works manager joined us as a trainee ground worker aged 17 and progressed to the top position.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ACTIVATE LEARNING
Jenny Hyam
apprenticeships@activateapprenticeships.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037586.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Thursday 20 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Sign in or create an account
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills