Trees and Timber

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Trees and Timber is 59 credits.

Duration of the Apprenticeship

The duration for the Foundation Apprenticeship is 18 - 24 months (flex) 

Entry requirements

Level 2: Trees and Timber

There are no specific entry requirements for the Trees and Timber Foundation Apprenticeship, however, there are qualifications and/or experience that will help learners prior to starting:

• Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Operations
• Level 1 Certificate/Diploma in Land-based Studies
• Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Land-based Operations
• Have previously worked in, or are currently working within, the industry
• Voluntary experience within the trees and timber industry
• GCSEs

Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Foundation Apprenticeship, this will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where appropriate.

There may be some sub-sectors of the trees and timber industry that apprentices under 18 are not permitted to work in or use certain equipment due to legislation.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Trees and Timber

Level 2: Trees and Timber Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

59 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trees and Timber

As the duration of the Foundation Apprenticeship is flexible the total amount of learning hours, which includes both on and off-the-job training, will also vary. This will be between 2422 hours for 18 months and 3230 hours for 24 months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication

6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Other additional requirements

Level 2: Trees and Timber

For the Foundation Apprenticeship the Trees and Timber industry has requested the completion of three of the following Additional Employment Requirements, one Mandatory and two Optional.

These additional employment requirements will enhance the Apprenticeship and facilitate employment within the industry. Additional Employment Requirements are not required for certification and may not be funded.

Mandatory:

• Forestry First Aid (4 days)

Two other accredited, legislative or nationally recognised occupational tests relevant to the industry (suggested list below):

• Manual Handling
• Brushwood chipper
• Safe Use of Pesticides - Chainsaw and related operations
• Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)

Recommended but not mandatory:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Pastoral Care
• Mental Health First Aid (Awareness/Introduction of Mental Health)

Job roles

The types of jobs available include:

Level 2: Trees and Timber

Forest Worker

Tree Feller

Base Level Arborist (Ground worker)

Coppice and (Greenwood) Craft Worker

Progression

Level 2: Trees and Timber

Progression opportunities onto the Trees and Timber Foundation Apprenticeship exist for adult learners who have experience within the trees and timber industry or who are looking for a career change.

Apprentices successfully completing the Foundation Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto the Apprenticeship in Trees and Timber or other Further Education courses such as:

• Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
• Level 3 Certificate in Environmental Sustainability.

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of the Foundation Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained, but could include:

Forest Worker, Base Level Arborist (Ground worker), Coppice and (Greenwood) Craft Worker, Tree Feller, Forest Machine Operator, Forest Operative, Arborist

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

The trees and timber industry employees are mainly males (93%), which is significantly higher than the sector average of 68% (UK) male employees and Wales' average at 71%. Whilst the industry doesn’t preclude females from working in the sector, it is suggested that the imbalance is due to an out-dated perception of trees and timber employment as traditionally a male dominated industry despite many roles in trees and timber being carried out by females. It is interesting to note that Further Education enrolments onto Trees and Timber related learning programmes are also mainly male at an average of 92% compared with work-based learning enrolments 100%.

There are wide range of hands-on roles for people of all ages and abilities together with an increasing need for skilled managerial, high-tech and specialist people. There are no actual barriers to recruitment into the industry.

There may be some physical restrictions in parts of the trees and timber industry especially if climbing trees and working with heavy equipment and machines. This should not rule anyone out, as there may be opportunities elsewhere in the industry.

Resolutions and further work:

The units within the Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber have been written in collaboration with partner awarding organisations to ensure that they are free from bias, accessible to all apprentices and are applicable to a wide range of roles and businesses within trees and timber. Because of the diverse nature of the trees and timber sector, the Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber has been developed from these units to allow maximum flexibility and choice within the rules of combination.

Lantra will work with its Trees and Timber Industry Group to promote the need for skilled managerial, high-tech and specialist people. This will also take into account the need to increase female and ethnic participation in the industry. Activities will include:

• Increasing the awareness of the Trees and Timber Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeship with specific promotions, in particular focusing on under-represented groups such as females Increasing marketing and communications highlighting the opportunities to a wide range of careers within and related to the sector.
• Using Lantra’s careers web pages to inform careers advisors and apprentices of the opportunities available in the industry.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider/Employer to ensure that the requirements of this Pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

 Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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