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Diploma in Arboriculture and Forestry Skills - Level 2Apply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 1
Interview: Y
Course Summary
If you are interested in a career in arboriculture and forestry management, this one-year course gives you a thorough grounding in both the theory and the practical skills you need. You will develop your abilities through tasks at Broomfield Hall and other rural settings.
Entry requirements
You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen interest in arboriculture. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications and practical aptitude. You will need:
- To be physically fit. (Candidates are interviewed and their climbing aptitude is assessed at the start of the course)
- A minimum of three GCSEs at grade D (3) or above, including English and/or Maths
OR
- An Introductory Diploma in a related subject
If you are a mature learner, we may be able to take into consideration your previous experience in your chosen subject.
All applicants will be interviewed, will undertake an initial assessment in English and Maths, and must present an example of current work.
Course Content
The course will cover:
- Ground-based operations
- Tree planting and care
- Business
- Tree climbing and pruning
- Work experience
- Trees and the law
- Tree identification
- Tree biology
- Machinery and maintenance
- Fungi/pest diseases
In addition, if you have not obtained GCSE English and/or Maths at grade C or above, you will be required to study Functional English and/or Maths.
How will I be assessed?
Each unit is assessed in a range of ways, including written assignments, practical skill tests and an identification test. All work will be collated into a portfolio of evidence.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You will be required to supply your own:
- Specialist kit to include helmet and chainsaw clothing (This will be discussed at interview and a specialist company will visit the College during Induction Week to advise you)
- Derby College uniform
- Writing materials
What can I do after this course?
You can progress to a Level 3 apprenticeship in Arboriculture or another related subject, provided you have passed this course with a minimum of a Merit grade. You could also go on to work in the forestry and arboriculture industry or become self-employed using the skills you have gained.
Derby College offers a range of one-day, weekend and evening courses relating to Arboriculture, as well as a wide range of other land-based topics - please see the Derby College Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
Andrew Patterson
Tree surgeon who trained at Broomfield seeks Derby College arboriculture student
Tree surgeon Andrew Patterson is looking to take on an arboriculture student from Derby College after Broomfield Hall's tree surgery course changed his life. Andrew – who is known as Drew at work – owns Tree Hugger and Son, which also employs his son Ross, another former Broomfield student.
Drew set up the family business, which operates across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, after completing the forestry and arboriculture diploma at Derby College in 2005. He said: "Ideally I would like someone who has nearly completed the Broomfield course and I have considered offering an apprenticeship to the right person."
Now 53, Drew discovered arboriculture by chance. At the age of 40 he'd been planning to give up his job as a postmaster and retrain as an electrician, but the college he had applied to had cancelled the course. Fortunately he happened to see a poster advertising an open day at Broomfield –and after spotting someone swinging in a tree, he decided there and then that tree surgery was for him, even though he didn't like heights. Inspired by his dad, Ross, now 28, took the same Broomfield course a couple of years later and is now junior partner.
My lecturers – David Frost, Simon Hunt and Sally were brilliant. David helped me get over my fear of heights and Simon and Sally taught me everything I needed to know about tree root underpinning.
Tree surgery can be a challenging career. I'm in my early fifties now but I'm in good shape. I'm a martial arts instructor so I've kept myself fit. You need good levels of fitness in this job.
It can be back breaking work but if you don't mind getting a few nicks, bruises and rashes and being outside in all weathers, it's one of the best jobs you could ever ask for.
