Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship in Cowfold

Reports To: The Arborist Team Leader (and Garden Manager as and when required)

Location: RHS Garden Bridgewater, RHS Garden Wisley

Start Date: August 2026. Two years (fixed term)

Salary: £23,810 per annum. The RHS ensures we pay all staff at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government.

Hours of work: Full time (37.5 hours a week on a rota). The working pattern is 5 days in 7 so your full-time hours will include some weekend working. For this position you will attend college on day release and occasionally on a residential basis which will involve travel and staying away from home.

About the Apprenticeship

Are you interested in learning about trees, woodlands, arboriculture, arboretums and forest ecology, but new to the industry? The Level 2 Arborist apprenticeship programme at RHS Garden Bridgewater and RHS Garden Wisley will support you to learn and develop your knowledge and skills by working alongside our knowledgeable, skilled and experienced staff in the workplace. Alongside the training in the garden, you will also attend college to study for the Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship qualification, developing your understanding of Arboriculture, and embed the practical learning. On successful completion of the apprenticeship you will achieve the Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship, a nationally recognised qualification.

During the apprenticeship, you will:

• Carry out practical work, in all weathers and across the seasons
• Complete a Level 2 qualification at college (equivalent to GCSE)
• Spend time with the Arborist team.
• Learn how to use appropriate techniques, tools and machinery, to cultivate, establish and care for our woody plant collections all year round. Including chainsaw operations, tree climbing (working from heights), climbing with a chainsaw, tree felling and working with a range of different machinery.
• Work safely and garden sustainably

These experiences and the skills you learn will equip you for professional life in the industry and start your career in arboriculture.

Benefits of Working for the RHS

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet. And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.

Our careers portal provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits. You can also learn about the range of careers in arboriculture by visiting www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/careers-horticulture, www.trees.org.uk/Careers/Careers-in-Arboriculture or www.lantra.co.uk/careers.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Further Information

To apply for any work‑based training position with the RHS School of Horticulture you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement, the RHS are unable to sponsor visa applications for these positions. Due to government funding rules, to be eligible for the apprenticeship:

• Applicants must not already hold a Level 2 qualification in Arboriculture, Forestry or other closely related industries or have more than 12 months of practical experience in the industry.
• UK nationals, citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or with Pre‑Settled Status through the EU Settlement Scheme and those with the right to abode must have been resident in the UK for at least the previous three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply straight away as the vacancy will be closed as soon as we receive sufficient applications. For further information, or if you require any additional support with making your application, please email schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk with details of the position you are applying for. Applications close 22nd February 2026. Interviews to be held 16th March to 2nd April.