Forest Operative (Establishment and Maintenance) (9127)

The nature of the forest operative role, the requirement to hold qualifications in order to work and changing seasons determine that some assessment procedures need to be carried out during the apprenticeship. On-programme assessment will allow apprentices to develop their skills, improve their knowledge and monitor their own progress towards the end point assessment.

On-programme assessment will also allow employers and training providers to provide feedback to apprentices to assist in their development and to monitor their progress. It is recommended this process be planned at the start, identifying tasks and timings to ensure apprentices make good progress towards achieving competence at the end.

It is recommended on-programme assessments should be combined into a portfolio completed to an adequate standard prior to starting the end-point assessment. The portfolio should include:

• The mandatory qualifications as stipulated in the standard.
• Employers, in conjunction with training providers, are strongly recommended to use a quarterly appraisal system to monitor the progress of the apprentice, provide feedback and guide development. The appraisals should include particular reference to the apprentice’s development of skills following achievement of the mandatory qualifications.
• A log book with entries maintained by the apprentice that demonstrates development through their apprenticeship period.
• Practical and knowledge tests related to seasonal aspects to include tree identification and common pest/disease/disorder identification.

It is recommended employers and training providers work closely to plan and deliver appropriate formative assessments. This process focuses on the employability factors that add value for the employer as it centres on real work competencies carried out in a real work environment.

It may be advantageous that other on-programme assessments are carried out by the employer and training provider in order to enhance apprentice development where required. These may be set and carried out by the training provider or employer at their discretion as needs arise, however the results could form part of the apprentice portfolio.

The end-point assessment will demonstrate that the apprentice can perform in a fully competent and productive way. Assessment towards the City & Guilds Forest Operative (Establishment and Maintenance) apprenticeship consists of two components. All components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprenticeship standard.

An online multiple choice test to assess the apprentice’s knowledge covering the areas not covered by the other assessment, such as:

• Current forestry, environmental, health and safety and plant health legislation and codes of practice in relation to forestry work
• The principles of silviculture including a range of silvicultural systems and their application
• An awareness of the key threats, pests and diseases affecting UK trees and woodland
• Understanding of the timber supply chain including the roles of the Landowner, Forest Works Manager, Contractor and Agent
• Knowledge of basic mensuration
• Knowledge of harvesting and extraction systems, and the factors affecting the cost of bringing timber to market

The apprentice will also undertake a practical exercise comprising five real work practical tests with verbal knowledge questions to assess the knowledge skills and behaviours learnt during their apprenticeship. City & Guilds will set the tests, and examples have been provided in the training specification. Verbal questioning relevant to the tests undertaken may be used before, during or after the tests to assess the apprentice’s knowledge. This practical exercise will be time bound and take six hours in total to undertake.

The employer and City & Guilds will agree the assessment location for the online knowledge test and practical exercise. Both activities must however occur under controlled conditions and City & Guilds will define the resources required; only sites with these resources can be used. The practical exercise will be assessed as part of the end point assessment by the independent assessor.

Interested in using our end-point assessment service and associated end-point assessment preparation materials? There are three ways to either find out more or to order what you need:
1. If you’re an existing City & Guilds customer, go to Walled Garden and select the materials you need or register your apprentice for end-point assessment. (You may need to submit a request to deliver if you don’t yet have approval for that standard.)
2. Get in touch with directsales@cityandguilds.com. Our Direct Sales Team can explain our different products and services and start getting you set up as a customer or give existing customers support on the new apprenticeship arrangements.