Apprentice Arborist
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Company: WATERMAN TREE COMPANY LIMITED
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Location: Hertfordshire, SG4 8DJ
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
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Sector: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
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Ref: NAS-2000030878
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Application Deadline Date: 08/06/2026
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Start Date: 22/06/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday to Friday: 7.00am start, 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation, no regular weekend or evening work expected.
Brief Description
Waterman Tree Co is recruiting an apprentice to join our practical tree work team. You'll learn to climb, fell and process trees alongside experienced arborists, working on residential, commercial and development sites, gaining industry-recognised qualifications with a clear progression route.
Training to be Provided
Monday to Friday 7.00am start and 4.00pm finish, 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional seasonal variation. No regular weekend or evening work expected. Attending Writtle College (CM1 3RR) one day a week from 9.00am-4.30pm from October 2026.
Future Prospects
A successful apprentice at Waterman Tree Co has a clear pathway to develop into a fully qualified climbing arborist and beyond. It could include team leader/ senior climber positions, with the potential to move into the consultancy side of the business, supporting tree surveys.
Vacancy Detail
As an apprentice Arborist with Waterman Tree Co. you'll be part of a small, hands-on team carrying out tree surgery and arboricultural work for residential, commercial and development clients. You'll start on the ground crew and progress to climbing as your skills develop, and your tickets are gained through Writtle College.
- Ground Crew duties: dragging brash, feeding the chipper, maintaining a clean and safe site, processing timber, loading vehicles, and supporting the climber on the rope.
- Tree work skills: learning to use chainsaws – under supervision and once certified, small fellings, sectional dismantling, and progressing to climbing and aerial work as competencies are built.
- Site setup and safety: setting up traffic management, cordoning work areas, daily kit checks, LOLER- compliant equipment handling, and adhering to industry safety standards.
- Client-facing professionalism: representing Waterman Tree Co. on residential and commercial sites, communicating respectfully with clients and the public, and leaving every site cleaner than you found it.
- Vehicle and equipment care: daily checks on the chipper, saws and ropes, plus learning basic maintenance and sharpening.
Other Information
Early starts; the working day begins at 7am, year-round. In the winter, this means leaving home in the dark and cold from November through February.
All weather – all year: you will be working outside in wind, rain, frost and heat. There are very few days when work stops for weather. You'll need appropriate gear and a tolerance for being uncomfortable.
Physically demanding: expect heavy manual handling every day, dragging brash, lifting timber, feeding the chipper, climbing trees with kit on. You will be tired at the end of each day, especially in the first few months.
At height: this role progresses to working in trees, often at significant heights and in awkward positions. You must be genuinely comfortable with this.
Travel between sites: we work across a wide area covering residential and commercial sites. Some days involve significant travel time, you'll need to be able to reach our yard for a 7.00am start.
High Risk Industry: chainsaws, climbing equipment, falling timber. Following safety procedures isn't optional, it's how you go home in one piece. We don't tolerate shortcuts.
Work Trial: We ask all candidates to complete a paid work trial of 2–4 weeks before signing the apprenticeship agreement.