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arboricultural worker
Arboricultural workers (sometimes known as arborists), plant, cultivate and maintain trees and shrubs often in public areas such as streets and parks.
There are three main kinds of worker:
- Climbers or tree surgeons – skilled workers who work at heights of up to 36 metres, pruning diseased trees or removing branches that could be dangerous
- Planters – workers who prepare the ground for tree planting, plant young trees, and apply pesticides and fertilisers
- Ground staff – workers who ensure the safety of pedestrians in the vicinity, clear sites of debris, and assist climbers, for example by passing them tools and re-fuelling chainsaws.
Some jobs combine all three of these.
Hours and Environment
You will usually work up to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, often with paid overtime – for example, you may be called out to deal with emergencies such as storm-damaged trees. Some parts of the work, such as tree planting, may be seasonal.
You could work in a variety of locations, such as privately-owned gardens, urban and country parks and on public highways.
The job involves a lot of noise and exposure to sawdust and fumes. You will need to wear safety equipment such as protective boots, ear defenders or protective masks for some tasks. As a climber you will wear a safety harness and use ropes and various items of rigging equipment.
Skills and Interests
To be an arboricultural worker you need:
- practical and mechanical skills
- to be physically fit and have a head for heights
- an interest in conservation and environmental issues
- the ability to work as part of a team
- good communication skills
- an understanding of health and safety issues.
Entry
You can become an arboricultural worker in the following ways:
- by doing a relevant course before looking for work
- by looking for a job at a basic level, for example as an arborist assistant, craftsperson or groundsperson, and training on the job.
Courses include:
- City & Guilds Level 2 National Certificate in Horticulture (which has arboricultural skills options). There are no set entry requirements. This may be useful for gaining entry level positions
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (Arboriculture) – a two year full-time course. Four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent relevant qualifications are needed. With this qualification you could find work as a climber or other technician-level position, or progress to higher education.
You can find details of colleges offering relevant courses by visiting the 'Links' section of the Arboricultural Association website. See Further Information below for a link to the website. Entry requirements for courses vary, so it is best to contact individual colleges for details.
To find a job, you may not need any academic qualifications, but you will need reasonable standards of literacy and numeracy. It will be useful if you have previous experience or qualifications in relevant areas such as horticulture.
If you do not have any relevant experience, a good way to start is by volunteering with organisations such as:
- the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
- the National Trust
- Groundwork
- the Woodland Trust
- the Wildlife Trust.
Please see Further Information below for contact details for these organisations.
You may also need to have experience to get on some college courses, so voluntary work could also be useful if you want to do a course before looking for work.
You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Training
As an arboricultural worker you will receive on-the-job-training, and also be able to work towards qualifications.
Before you can use a chainsaw in your work you are legally required to be trained and competent. The National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) and the Scottish Skills Testing Service (SSTS) award certificates of competence for chainsaw use and for other areas related to arboriculture. Visit the NPTC and SSTS websites for details of colleges and private providers offering the training – there are links to the websites in Further Information below. Some employers will organise and pay for your training.
When you are working in arboriculture you can take further work-based qualifications to help you develop your skills and progress in your career.
Level 2 qualifications (which could lead to opportunities as a climber or self-employed contractor) include:
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist
- Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Certificate in Arboriculture
- NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Arboriculture.
- Arboricultural Association Technician's Certificate in Arboriculture
- NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Treework (Arboriculture).
At this level you might also be able to study for BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (Arboriculture) by attending college part-time.
You can get more details of ISA, RFS and Arboricultural Association qualifications from the organisations - see Further Information below for contact details.
Higher level qualifications including BTEC HNCs, BTEC HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees are also available. For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward. To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Opportunities
The main employers of arboricultural workers are specialist contractors with clients such as commercial enterprises and utility companies. Many of these are small firms with less than ten employees.
Depending on your qualifications and experience you could progress from craftsman to supervisor and then to manager. You could also start your own business.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only. Income depends on the employer, location and type of work.
Groundstaff can earn around £18,000.
Climbers can earn from around £20,000 to around £29,000.
Further information
Edinburgh
EH28 8NE
Tel: 0131 333 2040
Tring
Hertfordshire
HP23 4AF
Tel: 01442 822028
Stoneleigh
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 024 7685 7300
Wednesbury
West Midlands
WS10 0DR
Tel: 0121 556 8302
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Mallard Way
Potteric Carr
Doncaster
DNL 8DB
Tel: 01302 388888
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 9PA
Tel: 01794 368717
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Site Disclaimer
The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice