T Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.
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.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
| Duty 1 Implement health and safety legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies, (for example erecting warning signs at entry points to a worksite.) |
K1
K7
K8
K11
K12
K14
K15
K16
K22
K23
S1
S5
S7
S8
S10
S11
S14
S15
S18
S19
S21
S22
B3
B5
B6
|
| Duty 2 Implement biosecurity legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies, (for example disinfecting footwear, tools and equipment before entering, leaving and travelling between work sites.) |
K2
K3
K7
K14
K15
K20
K22
K23
S2
S5
S6
S10
S13
S15
S18
S19
S21
S23
B3
B6
|
| Duty 3 Implement pollution control in line with legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies, (for example positioning a spill-kit appropriately prior to refuelling a chainsaw.) |
K2
K11
K12
S2
S5
S7
S8
S13
S18
S21
|
| Duty 4 Plant trees |
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K8
K9
K10
K12
K14
K15
K16
K19
S1
S2
S3
S6
S8
S11
S12
S13
S14
S16
B1
B2
B4
B5
B6
|
| Duty 5 Clear vegetation (for example cleaning, brashing) |
K1
K2
K4
K7
K8
K12
K15
K16
S1
S2
S3
S5
S8
S11
S12
S13
S14
B5
B6
|
| Duty 6 Measure and select trees for removal. |
K2
K3
K4
K5
K6
K9
K15
S2
S3
S4
S5
S11
S12
S13
S15
|
| Duty 7 Fell small trees. |
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K7
K9
K12
K14
K15
K16
S1
S2
S3
S5
S8
S10
S11
S12
S13
S14
B1
B4
B5
B6
|
| Duty 8 Maintain forest infrastructure, (for example repair a damaged deer fence.) |
K1
K2
K4
K7
K11
K12
K15
K16
S1
S2
S3
S5
S7
S8
S11
S12
S13
S14
B2
B4
B5
B6
|
| Duty 9 Operate and maintain forestry tools, equipment and machinery. |
K1
K2
K4
K12
K13
K14
K16
K22
S1
S3
S8
S9
S10
S19
B1
|
| Duty 10 Monitor and control the impact of pests, diseases and disorders. |
K2
K15
S2
S11
S13
S15
|
| Duty 11 Maintain records including digital records and reports. |
K14
S10
|
| Duty 12 Communicate with supervisor, colleagues, public and others |
K14
K15
K17
K19
K21
S10
S11
S15
S16
S17
B2
B3
B6
|
| Duty 13 Use geographical tools including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), maps and plans. |
K14
S10
S12
S15
B3
|
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
| Duty 16 Measure and select trees for harvesting |
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K6
K10
K11
K13
K15
K23
K24
B1
B4
B5
B6
|
| Duty 17 Harvest trees and prepare timber for extraction |
K1
K2
K3
K4
K6
K12
K15
K16
K23
K24
S1
S2
S3
S4
S8
S10
S11
S12
S13
S14
S15
S20
S21
S22
S23
B1
B4
B5
B6
|
| Duty 18 Extract timber |
K1
K2
K15
K16
K23
S1
S2
S11
S13
S23
S24
B5
B6
|
K1: Health and safety legislation, codes of practice (including Forest Industry Safety Accord guidance) and policies, including risk assessment.
Back to Duty
K2: Biosecurity and environmental legislation, codes of practice and policies including pollution control.
Back to Duty
K3: Principles of silvicultural practice in the UK including those most commonly used, their application, and the UK Forestry Standard.
Back to Duty
K4: Methods to identify trees and woodland plants including botanical keys taking account of seasonality.
Back to Duty
K5: Plant and tree biology, physiology, lifecycles, growing conditions, landscape and timber properties.
Back to Duty
K6: Techniques for measuring standing trees.
Back to Duty
K7: Techniques for felling small trees and removing unwanted vegetation.
Back to Duty
K8: Techniques for planting, supporting and protecting trees and their suitability to different situations including site conditions.
Back to Duty
K9: Implications of tree establishment activities on the end product and impact on decision-making process.
Back to Duty
K10: Timber supply chain (for example timber markets and processing) and the actors within it including roles and responsibilities.
Back to Duty
K11: Maintenance requirements for forest infrastructure, for example boundaries and rides.
Back to Duty
K12: Maintenance, operational requirements and legislation for tools, equipment, machinery, vehicles and attachments.
Back to Duty
K13: Techniques for identification and control of tree pests, diseases and disorders, including impacts of pests and diseases on timber and the wider environment, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Back to Duty
K14: The importance of maintaining records including digital records and reports.
Back to Duty
K15: Techniques for communicating with technical and non-technical audiences and the importance of effective communication in the workplace with colleagues, customers and the public.
Back to Duty
K16: Implications of changes in conditions, situations and working environments.
Back to Duty
K17: The importance of recording a portfolio of experience and learning to aid career progression.
Back to Duty
K19: Methods for storing, transporting and handling trees and importance for tree health and establishment.
Back to Duty
K20: (Establishment & maintenance) Techniques for protecting and maintaining plants after planting including purpose, timings and suitability to site conditions.
Back to Duty
K21: (Establishment & maintenance) Methods of managing and controlling unwanted vegetation throughout the life cycle of the tree(s).
Back to Duty
K22: (Establishment & maintenance) Methods for controlling vegetation or pests by chemical means (for example pesticides or organic equivalents).
Back to Duty
K23: (Harvesting) Harvesting and extraction systems including tree felling and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market.
Back to Duty
K24: (Harvesting) Techniques for calculating timber in standing and felled trees.
Back to Duty
S1: Plan, implement, monitor and review health, safety and welfare of self and others, including creating risk assessments, legislative requirements and organisational policies.
Back to Duty
S2: Plan, implement, check and report environmental mitigation measures, including legal compliance, organisational policies and risk assessment.
Back to Duty
S3: Identify common forestry trees and woodland plants using scientific names.
Back to Duty
S4: Measure trees for assessment of timber volumes.
Back to Duty
S5: Identify and control unwanted vegetation including felling small trees using hand and motor manual tools.
Back to Duty
S6: Plant trees including providing support and protection.
Back to Duty
S7: Monitor and maintain forest and woodland infrastructure for example boundaries and rides.
Back to Duty
S8: Operate and maintain tools, equipment and machinery safely in line with legislation and manufacturers guidance, for example winches, chainsaws or tractors.
Back to Duty
S9: Monitor and control the impact of pests, diseases and disorders.
Back to Duty
S10: Maintain records including digital records and reports.
Back to Duty
S11: Communicate to technical and non-technical audiences including the use of verbal and written techniques.
Back to Duty
S12: Interpret maps, plans and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Back to Duty
S13: Store and dispose of waste in accordance with regulations, for example chemicals, organic and inorganic waste, pollution and biosecurity controls.
Back to Duty
S14: Load, unload and transport materials and equipment relative to the business.
Back to Duty
S15: Process information and communicate using digital technology for example emails, word processing software, video meeting software or applications for recording and sharing information.
Back to Duty
S16: Store and handle trees to minimise negative impacts and maximise establishment potential.
Back to Duty
S17: (Establishment & maintenance) Protect and maintain plants after planting including weeding, cleaning, re-spacing, beating up and application of products to prevent unwanted vegetation (for example mulch mat).
Back to Duty
S18: (Establishment & maintenance) Improve quality of tree crop, including brashing and formative pruning.
Back to Duty
S19: (Establishment & maintenance) Control vegetation or pests by chemical means (biocides or organic equivalents).
Back to Duty
S20: (Harvesting) Select trees for harvesting.
Back to Duty
S21: (Harvesting) Fell large trees motor-manually including use of assisted fell techniques.
Back to Duty
S22: (Harvesting) Use hand winches in forestry.
Back to Duty
S23: (Harvesting) Prepare timber for extraction including snedding, measuring, cross cutting and sorting timber to product specification.
Back to Duty
S24: (Harvesting) Calculate timber volumes using mensuration techniques.
Back to Duty
B1: Takes ownership of work including attention to detail, spatial awareness and stamina.
Back to Duty
B2: Team-focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.
Back to Duty
B3: Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
Back to Duty
B4: Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Back to Duty
B5: Puts safety first for themselves and others.
Back to Duty
B6: Respectful of others and tailors communication to audience.
Back to Duty
Awarding organisation: City & Guilds
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