This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
A Forestry works manager oversees safe forestry operations, including tree felling, timber harvesting and habitat management.
This occupation is found in operational forestry and woodland sites where management activities are being planned and taking place. These could be on the public forest estate, charity or local -authority owned sites or privately-owned sites, e.g. private estates or commercial woodlands. Employers in which this occupation is found range from multi-national forest management companies with hundreds of UK employees to micro-enterprises.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to commission work on a forestry site and oversee the safe and effective implementation of it. Management of activities may include tree felling, timber harvesting, ground preparation, tree establishment, tree health, access and infrastructure works, habitat management, and arboricultural works.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with:
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for health, safety and environmental integrity of forestry works. This might include new woodland creation or restocking, timber harvesting, and or establishment and maintenance and other activities. Working forestry sites will often have multiple conflicting activities present that must be safely managed during operations, for example recreation and leisure access, and this role must ensure all works are carried out in accordance with the appropriate industry safety guidelines for example FISA Guidance on Managing Health and Safety in Forestry and Guidance on Responsibilities for Environmental Protection in Forestry. A Forestry Works Manager is responsible for ensuring safety, health and welfare standards are established, implemented, and maintained with the aim of protecting all site personnel along with others who may be affected by the work, including third party visitors and members of the public. They are responsible for operations on the woodland site and areas impacted by the work, for example soils, watercourses, rights of way, ecological and archaeological considerations in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard are also responsible for safe and efficient movement of timber, from the point of harvesting, forwarding to roadside, and uplift by hauliers, at which point the forest operations may interact with the public road network, which may include worksites that involve felling of diseased roadside trees and associated traffic management.
Forestry contracts manager
Forestry manager
Forestry site manager
Forestry supervisor
Forestry works manager
Forestry works supervisor
Harvesting and marketing manager
Warden
Woodland creation manager
Woodland project officer
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 15 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:
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Presentation with questions
You will produce and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor. You must submit your presentation slides and any supporting materials to the EPAO by the end of week 3 of the EPA period. The presentation and questions will last at least 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask you at least 6 questions.
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.Reasonable adjustments
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.
This apprenticeship aligns with The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) for technical membership
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 19/02/2025 | Not set |
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