Trees and Timber

This Modern Apprenticeship helps you train employees in arboriculture, urban forestry, environmental forestry and research, or education and training in these fields.

It’s offered at 2 levels, making it suitable for those new to working with trees and timber, as well as staff with experience who want to develop their skills further.

To do SCQF Level 5, there are no set entry requirements, but candidates should be competent to complete the Level 2 SVQ.

To do SCQF Level 6, candidates must have one or more of the following:

• the SCQF 5 Modern Apprenticeship

• an SCQF Level 5 in Forestry or Arboriculture or an equivalent qualification 

• equivalent and relevant experience

At both levels, candidates should:

• show commitment to a career in the Trees and Timber industry

• enjoy working with trees and the environment

• enjoy working outside

• be prepared to attend off-the-job training

• be able to acquire the broad range of skills, knowledge and understanding required in the Modern Apprenticeship

When they complete the SCQF Level 5 Modern Apprenticeship, candidates should be able to achieve positions such as:

• general aboriculture worker

• ground worker

• climber

• general forest worker

• forestry craftsman

• forestry establishment contract worker

• forestry harvesting contract worker

They could also progress onto the Level 6 apprenticeship and into further education courses such as: 

• SVQ 3 Arboriculture

• SVQ 3 General Woodland

• Forestry and National Qualification Group Award

When they complete the SCQF Level 6 Modern Apprenticeship, candidates should be able to achieve positions such as:

• lead ground worker

• lead climber

• arboricultural foreman/supervisor

• arboricultural surveyor

• tree preservation officer

• forest foreman

• harvest contractor

• forestry establishment contractor

• community forester

• woodland manager

Those who wish to continue their development of skills and qualifications beyond the apprenticeship could progress to Higher Education courses such as:

• arboriculture

• urban forestry

• tree care

• forest sciences

• forestry conservation and forest ecosystems

• forestry and woodland management

• sustainable forest management