Porters Tree Care is a growing local tree surgery company led by a highly skilled and knowledgeable arborist. The company offers an excellent opportunity to work alongside one of the industry’s top climbers. With varied daily tasks, hands-on learning, and clear career progression, this role is both dynamic and rewarding.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. 08:00am - 16:30pm Monday – Friday and some weekend work if willing/required.

Salary: £12,480 - £22,308 (depending on age & experience)

Application deadline: 31st March 2025

About the Employer

A well established and busy company operating in Kent/East Sussex area specialising in arboriculture and horticulture.

Wes Porter has been fascinated by horticulture since he began working for his father’s gardening business as a young seedling. His passion for the subject has afforded him the highest level of qualifications and excellent testimonials.

Now specialising in Arboriculture, Wes Porter not only understands, but respects the science behind the care and maintenance of all native trees and shrubs. This knowledge is passed through his team and onto you, the customer, bringing a fresh, intelligent and caring approach to your tree care.

What will the apprentice be doing?

The apprentice's duties will vary day to day but will include:

hedge cutting
planting
tree felling
tree reductions
tidying up worked areas
using the woodchipper & stump grinder
loading the vans
General estate maintenance

Training Provider: Plumpton College

During your training, in addition to your Arborist Level 2 apprenticeship qualification, you will also work towards gaining certificates of competence including chainsaw maintenance, crosscutting and tree climbing/aerial rescue as well as other certificated courses such as Emergency First Aid At Work.

The apprentice will study at Plumpton College - you will have access to the latest equipment and technology and tutors and work with coaches with over 20+ years’ experience of working in the sector. The training will be delivered in a block release manner. The apprentice will gain the L2 Arborist Apprenticeship Certificate from completing the course.

The following licence to practice qualifications would be required prior to end point assessment:

Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
Level 2 award in safe use of brushwood chipper
Traffic Management (NRSWA Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding) OR Sector Scheme 12D
Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
Level 2 award in crosscutting timber using a chainsaw
Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
Level 2 award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness
Level 3 award in aerial tree rescue operations
Level 3 award in aerial cutting of trees using free fall techniques
Level 2 award in safe use of mobile elevated work platform
Level 3 award in use of a chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)
Apprentices without Level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end-point assessment.

The apprenticeship has a blended learning model with a mix of in college practical and theoretical learning over three day blocks on a monthly basis between October and January and in March and June. Online knowledge delivery and quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation and assessments throughout the apprenticeship.

Desired Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Time Keeping
Work Ethic

Qualifications: Math and English GCSE Grade 4 desirable or discussion for completion of Functional Skills Maths and English if not achieved.

Things to consider

The applicant will need to get to and from our base of operations reliably, and we usually travel around an hour away to the job sites, so own transport is highly advised.
Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. During peak season, early starts will be required. Being prepared for this is important.
You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter course may not apply.
You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
You MUST be located in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
This apprenticeship is approximately 18 months.

Job Type: Apprenticeship

Pay: £12,480.00-£22,308.00 per year

Application question(s):

Do you own a car? If so do you drive?
What is it about the role that appeals to you?

Work Location: In person

Porters Tree Care Ltd

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