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Forestry and Arboriculture (Arboriculture)
(Edexcel) BTEC National Diploma
Full-time or Part-time
at Capel Manor, Enfield
The aim of this 2 year course is to produce competent arboriculturists who will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to take up posts in the industry in such areas as grounds personnel with commercial contractors or local authorities, tree climbers or assistant tree or woodland officers.
The Course
The 18-unit BTEC National Diploma extends and deepens the specialist focus available in the 12-unit National Certificate. The qualification prepares learners for employment in the sector and will be suitable for 16-19 year olds who have already decided that they wish to enter this area of work. Some adult learners may wish to make the commitment required by this qualification in order to enter a specialist area of employment or progress into higher education. Other learners may want to extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC National Certificate programme. Progression from this qualification may well be into employment where learners may progress to professional body exams. Alternatively learners may progress to degree or other higher-education studies in that sector or a related one.
The BTEC National Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture provides the knowledge, understanding and skills for learners wishing to enter a career as technicians in the area of Forestry and Arboriculture and/or provides progression to higher education vocational qualifications such as BTEC Higher National Diploma in Forestry or a full-time degree in Forestry or Forestry Science. This qualification programme provides access to more specialist units and therefore broadens and deepens the learners experience in preparation for the world of work.
The course extends over two academic years including a minimum 400 hours industrial placement.
First year (September – June)
You will spend in College studying core and specialist units which train you for a range of skills and provide a broad background knowledge. Each week will consist of a mix of theory and practical work on a range of public and private sites including the College's 75 ha farm, hedgerows and woodlands.
Second year
Will begin in September and you will study a further range of units until Easter and then undertake an industrial placement.
Industrial placement
Students spend a minimum of 10 weeks on industrial placement between March and July. You will be assisted in finding placements in areas that are of interest to you and develop your practical and key skills. There may be opportunities for industrial placement at home or abroad and you might get the chance to continue your placement after the end of the course.
Course Content
- Arboriculture – identification, planting and care (1)
- Arboriculture - tree climbing, pruning and care (1)
- Business management for land based industries (1)
- Investigative project in arboriculture industry (1)
- Land based machinery operations (1)
- Principles of plant and soil science (1)
- Silivcultural techniques and practices (1)
- Tree biology (1)
- Tree felling and chainsaw use (1)
- Tree surveys and reports (1)
- Ecology of trees, woods and forests (2)
- Forest and woodland skills (2)
- Principles of land based machinery (2)
- Tree and shrub pruning and maintenance (2)
- Tree establishment and protection (2)
- Tree pests and diseases (2)
- Woodland habitat management (2)
- Work related experience in the forestry and arboricultural sectors (2)
Full details of the content of these units are available on the Edexcel website: edexcel.org.uk/qualifications and select BTEC Nationals – Land Based, followed by course title.
Entry Requirements
You are welcome to visit the College to discuss with a course tutor a study programme which will help towards your intended career. All students are assessed on an individual basis but the normal entry requirements are:
- Edexcel First Diploma to distinction level
- 4 GCSE passes at grades A-C including English and one science subject
- Other qualifications of equivalent standard
- Relevant experience, or Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or National Certificate in Arboriculture/Horticulture
- An intermediate level GNVQ
- NVQ level 2 or City & Guilds Phase 2 award in Arboriculture or Horticulture
Training and Assessment Methods
Your training will include:
- practical tree surgery skills
- an emphasis on interpersonal and communication key skills, important when working with clients, the public and as part of a team
- visits to woodland habitats, arboreta, urban greenspace sites and tree nurseries
- an appreciation of business, financial and IT key skills and how they relate to the industry and the environment
- working on the Capel Manor estate and neighbouring Forty Hall farm, as well as with private clients in 'real life' situations
- a broad understanding and awareness of environmental issues which will be of value throughout your life
You will be assessed by carrying out a range of practical and written assignments and tests throughout the course. There will be no end of course examination; however two units Business Management and Specialist Project Study will be externally assessed by an Integrated Vocational Assessment (IVA).
All practical subjects will be taught in line with standards required for National Proficiency Test Council assessments. NPTC assessments are not part of this course, but are often sought by potential employers. Students who wish to apply to the NPTC for these assessments will be advised by their trainers as to their suitability to undertake these tests.
Students attending this course will need to equip themselves with: text books, chainsaw boots, chainsaw gloves, a pruning saw and items of maintenance equipment to take part in the course. These will not be needed at the beginning of the course and details of purchase will be available at enrolment. All other Personal Protective Clothing can be provided, but you may wish to purchase your own.
Qualifications Gained
Success on this course leads to the nationally recognised award of an Edexcel (BTEC) National Diploma in Arboriculture and Forestry (Arboriculture). There will be the opportunity to gain additional qualifications appropriate to your course of study, for which an additional fee will be charged.
Students under 19 will also be entered for Key Skills exams with older students having the opportunity to do so.
Progression
The National Diploma will allow entry to HND and degree courses and the combination of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills is highly regarded by employers.
Venue and Facilities
This course takes place at Capel Manor’s main campus in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, an 18th century manor house set in 12 ha of gardens. We have access to a wide range of urban and country parks, nature reserves and private sites, where practical work is carried out.
At the College farm at Forty Hall, students are involved with ongoing project work, pruning, tree planting, hedging etc, thus enhancing the long term conservation value of the site.
Fees
Please refer to the College prospectus
Working in the Arboricultural Industry
Tree companies are often small private firms, although there are some larger ones operating regionally or nationally or on contract to local authorities. There is a high demand for skilled, knowledgeable and well trained staff in this industry. Each year companies regularly mail the College with their employment vacancies.
Many local authorities employ tree surveyors on a contract basis and will have arboriculturally qualified personnel in management or supervisory positions in Parks, Leisure or Planning departments. Many country parks require personnel with practical tree knowledge and the ability to relate to the public and fulfil a variety of roles.
The industry nationwide employs approximately 10,000 people and there are opportunities to work in Europe, the USA, Australasia and Japan.
Web ref: 200447_ND_arb
Last updated:
19 May, 2008
For further information and how to apply please contact
the Student Registry at:
Capel Manor College
Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ
Tel: 08456 122 122
