Writtle University College (WUC) is celebrating the success of five Arborist Apprentices. Following a combination of hands-on and classroom-based learning, the team qualified in a range of essential skills, ranging from health and safety in the workplace, to use of wood chippers, chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting.
Arboriculture course team leader, Kevin Moore, said: "We're very proud of the hard work and dedication our apprentices have displayed over the last few months. Despite facing challenging times, as a result of lockdown, they have followed all social distancing regulations to safely gain skills and qualifications that will be vital to their professional careers."
Kevin awarded LANTRA & NPTCCity & Guilds certificates to the five learners during a short, socially-distanced presentation one of WUC's spacious on-campus glasshouses.
Kevin's team is enjoying WUC's popular apprenticeship programme which has two intakes per year and requires one day a week attendance to college, whilst being employed in the industry. Arborists manage trees in a variety of both urban and rural environments; from city parks, along transport links, private gardens, country estates and woodlands. The work of an arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling and using appropriate machinery such as brushwood chippers, chainsaws and MEWPS.