This is not the latest approved version of this apprenticeship. View the latest version
This apprenticeship has been retired
This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:
Carry out the practical operations required to create, maintain and harvest forests and woodlands.
This occupation is found in forestry and land management. This includes governmental, non-governmental, private, public, charitable and local authority organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have an interest in forestry and woodland creation and management. Landowning organisations or private estates may employ their own forest craftsperson(s) and or use contractors who employ forest craftspersons.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out the practical operations required to create, maintain and harvest forests and woodlands. Most employers will specialise in either establishment and maintenance, or harvesting. Employees in both sub-sectors would be expected to be aware of the full range of forestry operations, and to understand the commercial, environmental and social impacts of forestry. Establishment and maintenance operatives will carry out the range of duties required to prepare the ground, plant trees and undertake ongoing maintenance, including weeding, beating up and pruning. Harvesting operatives will carry out the range of duties required to fell, process and extract trees and timber. This occupation works predominantly in either established forests, woodlands or on open land. They need to be able and willing to do practical work outdoors in all weathers. Forestry and woodland sites are often in remote locations and the ability to travel independently to access sites is advantageous.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues including land owners, team leaders or work supervisors, and forest craftspersons. They may need to communicate with members of the public and other land management operatives in the course of their work.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for initiating and completing their own work to specification, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines. They are responsible for meeting quality requirements and working in accordance with legislation, environmental, health, safety and welfare considerations. They are accountable for the health and safety of themselves and others. They are expected to exercise responsibility, autonomy and judgement within limited parameters. They perform tasks that are complex and non-routine and may be in a variety of contexts. Forest operatives are responsible for checking their tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) are maintained and safe to use. They report to team leaders and or works supervisors.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the forest craftsperson, the qualification required is:
(Core) QNUK Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work +F (RQF) or QA Level 3 Award in Forestry First Aid +F (RQF) or FAA Level 3 Award in Forestry First Aid
(Core) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award In Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting or City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting
(Core) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award In Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm or City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 380mm
(Establishment & Maintenance) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides or City & Guilds Level 2 Principles of safe handling and application of pesticides
(Establishment and Maintenance) ) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticide Using Hand Held Equipment or City & Guilds Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
(Establishment and Maintenance) City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award In the Safe Use of Brush-cutters and Trimmers
(Establishment and Maintenance) City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award In the Safe Use of Forestry Clearing Saw
(Harvesting) Lantra Awards Level 3 Award In Severing Uprooted or Windblown Trees Using a Chainsaw or City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Individual Windblown Trees
(Harvesting) Lantra Awards Level 3 Award In Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm or City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Felling and Processing Medium Trees Over 380mm and up to 760mm
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 210 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions.
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
In the test you can have:
calculator
writing materials
The test will have 30 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 70 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
---|---|---|---|
1.1 | Occupational standard and end point assessment plan revised | 13/11/2024 | Not set |
1.0 | Approved for delivery | 18/08/2022 | 12/11/2024 |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence