Trees And Timber Apprenticeship (Wales)

The trees and timber industry plays an important role in the land-based and environmental sector and can be split into the following main work streams; arboriculture and forestry.

Arboriculture and forestry both involve working with and around trees. Forests and woodland are an important resource for timber, amenity and recreation, tourism and biodiversity.

Forestry focuses on the management of forests and woodland, whereas arboriculture centres on the cultivation, management and care for individual trees, or groups of trees, with the primary aim of maintaining them for amenity purposes. Although both areas of work include working with individual and groups of trees they have a different outcome and this means that the process and equipment used is different from one another.

The industry is highly specialised and can involve working with a vast array of machines, materials and equipment; from planting stock, using chemicals to treat pests and disease through to chainsaws, harvesters and computer software. A wide range of skills and knowledge is therefore required as there is a significant variety of jobs and tasks involved.

Often when qualified, workers are often required to work alone or in small teams in the field, this requires good knowledge of health and safety legislation and working alone policies. This type of work requires specific skills and knowledge which learners will gain from completing an apprenticeship in trees and timber and the current drive to plant more trees in Wales will lead to more opportunities in the industry

Trees And Timber Apprenticeship (Wales) website