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Forestry and Arboriculture – Level 3 (Technical Baccalaureate)

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Rodbaston Estate with Wind Turbine
Courses Code
QF3ABTECH
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
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  • Is this course for you?

    Worth 4 A levels.

    Now is a good time to begin a career in forestry and arboriculture as nations wake up to the fact that we need to both protect and enhance our green spaces. Trees play an important part not only in our economy but also our wellbeing as a nation. There are a wide variety of jobs on offer in this sector from working on the ground as a tree officer or inspector, to the more adventurous climber working at height from a rope and harness.

    This technical route to employment or higher education has been developed alongside industry to instil the required skills and knowledge to quickly become competent and successful in your chosen career. The Rodbaston estate is ideally situated to enhance learning with its wide variety of habitats and individual tree specimens. The programme of learning leans heavily towards the arboriculture side of the industry as this offers great employment prospects, but also takes in forestry practise to move into this area if that is a chosen career goal.

    If you love trees, like being outdoors and still want good employment prospects then this is the course for you!

  • Required qualifications

    Entry requirements = 5 GCSE’s

    • English, Science and two others must be grade 4 or above
    • Maths must be grade 5 or above
  • What skills will I develop?

    The skills and knowledge that are developed align to the needs of regional and national employers. There is a good balance of practical and theory topics with a strong emphasis on the practical skills that industry want to see. This includes the use and knowledge of strimmers, chainsaws, tractors, winches and technical equipment that aids tree survey work. There is obviously a great deal of time spent working with climbing kits such as ropes and harnesses that enable working at height. The programme of study has an excellent input from specialist topics that allows learners to practise and enhance learning in areas such as tree pests and diseases, planting and stock establishment, plant & soil science, species identification, survey techniques, pruning and maintenance, and habitat management techniques.

    There is also the chance to engage with wider skills that are vital to career progression such as business management and the positive impact health and safety can have on both the individual and the wider industry community.

    You will have the chance to set up and investigate or carry a project of your choosing allowing individuals with different interests to develop them further and entwine them with not only this course but also your future career.

  • Careers

    This course will prepare you for a career as a:

    • Ground Operative
    • Climber
    • Trainer
    • Business owner
    • Tree Officer
    • Estate Manager
    • Forester
    • Contractor
    • Craftsperson
    • Machinery Specialist
  • Work experience

    This course requires you to undertake a minimum of 150 hours (around 20 working days) of relevant work experience. You do not have to have secured a placement to start the course but a good idea of where you would like to go would be an advantage.

    Industry experience is designed to further develop and enhance skills being taught during vocational sessions and is an important part of the study program ahead of starting your career.

  • English and maths

    If you are aged 16-18 and are yet to gain a 4 or above in maths and English then the college will help you achieve this as part of your study programme. If you are 19+ and are looking to improve your maths & English then these subjects can form part of the course. The benefits of improving your skills in these qualifications are not to be underestimated and can lead to better employment prospects and higher earning potential in your chosen career.

    As part of this qualification learners will study an extended project module and Maths at an advanced level.

  • Other important information

    No specific uniform is required and it is suggested you wait to buy appropriate PPE until you are sure this is the course for you.

  • Is this course for you?

    Worth 4 A levels.

    Now is a good time to begin a career in forestry and arboriculture as nations wake up to the fact that we need to both protect and enhance our green spaces. Trees play an important part not only in our economy but also our wellbeing as a nation. There are a wide variety of jobs on offer in this sector from working on the ground as a tree officer or inspector, to the more adventurous climber working at height from a rope and harness.

    This technical route to employment or higher education has been developed alongside industry to instil the required skills and knowledge to quickly become competent and successful in your chosen career. The Rodbaston estate is ideally situated to enhance learning with its wide variety of habitats and individual tree specimens. The programme of learning leans heavily towards the arboriculture side of the industry as this offers great employment prospects, but also takes in forestry practise to move into this area if that is a chosen career goal.

    If you love trees, like being outdoors and still want good employment prospects then this is the course for you!

  • Required qualifications

    Entry requirements = 5 GCSE’s

    • English, Science and two others must be grade 4 or above
    • Maths must be grade 5 or above
  • What skills will I develop?

    The skills and knowledge that are developed align to the needs of regional and national employers. There is a good balance of practical and theory topics with a strong emphasis on the practical skills that industry want to see. This includes the use and knowledge of strimmers, chainsaws, tractors, winches and technical equipment that aids tree survey work. There is obviously a great deal of time spent working with climbing kits such as ropes and harnesses that enable working at height. The programme of study has an excellent input from specialist topics that allows learners to practise and enhance learning in areas such as tree pests and diseases, planting and stock establishment, plant & soil science, species identification, survey techniques, pruning and maintenance, and habitat management techniques.

    There is also the chance to engage with wider skills that are vital to career progression such as business management and the positive impact health and safety can have on both the individual and the wider industry community.

    You will have the chance to set up and investigate or carry a project of your choosing allowing individuals with different interests to develop them further and entwine them with not only this course but also your future career.

  • Careers

    This course will prepare you for a career as a:

    • Ground Operative
    • Climber
    • Trainer
    • Business owner
    • Tree Officer
    • Estate Manager
    • Forester
    • Contractor
    • Craftsperson
    • Machinery Specialist
  • Work experience

    This course requires you to undertake a minimum of 150 hours (around 20 working days) of relevant work experience. You do not have to have secured a placement to start the course but a good idea of where you would like to go would be an advantage.

    Industry experience is designed to further develop and enhance skills being taught during vocational sessions and is an important part of the study program ahead of starting your career.

  • English and maths

    If you are aged 16-18 and are yet to gain a 4 or above in maths and English then the college will help you achieve this as part of your study programme. If you are 19+ and are looking to improve your maths & English then these subjects can form part of the course. The benefits of improving your skills in these qualifications are not to be underestimated and can lead to better employment prospects and higher earning potential in your chosen career.

    As part of this qualification learners will study an extended project module and Maths at an advanced level.

  • Other important information

    No specific uniform is required and it is suggested you wait to buy appropriate PPE until you are sure this is the course for you.

Apply for a course

  • Arboriculture Advanced Technical Baccalaureate

    Rodbaston College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QRF3ABTECH

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week