Level 6 Options

[Ledburyjosh]

The time has come where I am wanting to move further from practical tree work into consultancy, with the aim of getting chartered status and AA consultancy membership. I have the Tech cert back from 2011 when it was a level 3. At that time I assumed I would progress to the level 6 Prof Dip.

 

However that has been make troublesome by the Level 6 Prof dip no longer existing..

 

I see tree life offer what appears to be the prof dip without it being the prof dip, so I am unsure how recognised this would be in the industry. I have no doubt you would learn a lot, however if other bodies (ICF & AA) do not see it as a valid qualification then its has little worth for my desired direction.

 

Has anyone encountered this problem and found a solution or alternative courses? I am keen to avoid university, having thought I could progress to the prof dip from the tech cert. If I take the uni route this would involve first doing 3 years of the foundation degree and then onto the BSC. which is a huge time and money investment.

 

Thanks

Edited March 8 by Ledburyjosh

[Mark J]

I realise you want to avoid the University route. Do you have a degree in any subject?  If so then I would be looking to do a Masters. If not, depending on your experience it isn't unfeasible that you could jump straight onto a BSc. 
You will also need PTI if you don't already have it if you want to get into consultancy. 
 

[Ledburyjosh]

Hi Mark.

 

Yes I have the PTI and Tech Cert. I do currently do surveys as part of my work along side cutting. But would like to head to the top.

 

No I have no degree in anything, my planned route was the tech cert followed by the Prof dip.

 

Directly into BSC will need a discussion with Myerscough. My concern would be that the syllabus may specifically be expanding on the Fdsc. I shall look into that as a possible option.

Edited March 8 by Ledburyjosh

[Mark J]

12 hours ago, Ledburyjosh said:

Hi Mark.

 

Yes I have the PTI and Tech Cert. I do currently do surveys as part of my work along side cutting. But would like to head to the top.

 

No I have no degree in anything, my planned route was the tech cert followed by the Prof dip.

 

Directly into BSC will need a discussion with Myerscough. My concern would be that the syllabus may specifically be expanding on the Fdsc. I shall look into that as a possible option.

 

 That sounds sensible. 

 

It might also be the case that you can go direct to a Masters, given your experience in the field.

.

Best of luck..

 

[Ledburyjosh]

@AA Teccie (Paul) have you any input on this? Do you know if any level 6 professional option exist or plans for any to exist?

[krummholz]

On 08/03/2025 at 18:59, Ledburyjosh said:

Hi Mark.

 

Yes I have the PTI and Tech Cert. I do currently do surveys as part of my work along side cutting. But would like to head to the top.

 

No I have no degree in anything, my planned route was the tech cert followed by the Prof dip.

 

Directly into BSC will need a discussion with Myerscough. My concern would be that the syllabus may specifically be expanding on the Fdsc. I shall look into that as a possible option.

 Myerscough have a Level 6 Apprenticeship launching soon, you could do that through your workplace or find someone to take you on for it?

 

https://www.myerscough.ac.uk/courses/arboriculture/level-6-professional-arboriculturist-coming-soon/

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

On 11/03/2025 at 19:52, Ledburyjosh said:

@AA Teccie (Paul) have you any input on this? Do you know if any level 6 professional option exist or plans for any to exist?

I'll make some enquiries with Head Office and come back to you as I'm a little "out of the education loop" currently - however, regarding the Tree Life accredited training program https://www.treelifeac.co.uk/atp I'm sure this would be recognised - not least "by association" with TreeLife (and Dave Dowson, the course...producer.)

 

Cheers..

 

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Josh - I have a response from Head Office which I hope is helpful.

 

Tree life no longer offers an OFQUAL qualification at level 6 (old ‘Prof Dip’ or ABC level 6) but they still offer the same curriculum as a training certificate, as Josh has found out. In answer to his query, yes, the Association does recognise Tree Life’s ‘Accredited Training Programme in Urban Tree Management’ as adequate evidence to meet the threshold for becoming an AA Professional Member and application to become an AA Registered Consultant.

 

Myerscough’s Online Foundation degree at level 5 sounds like it might tick the box, too.

 

The other development, which may not be so useful for Josh, if he is a sole trader, is the suite of higher-level Apprenticeships in arb:

As well as the established and recently revamped Level 2 ‘Arborist’, there is

Level 4 ‘Arboriculturist’, a 2-year apprenticeship available in person at Plumpton or online at Myerscough;

Level 6 ‘Professional Arboriculturist’, now planned as a 4-year apprenticeship at Myerscough to be launched in September 2025, will be integrated with their Arboriculture BSc degree (and, as the training aspect is funded by government, is essentially a way of studying for a degree without paying the £30-odd K for the privilege).

 

However, all apprenticeships require an employer to take on the apprentice, who will normally spend around 80% of their time at work and 20% studying.

[Ledburyjosh]

4 hours ago, krummholz said:

 Myerscough have a Level 6 Apprenticeship launching soon, you could do that through your workplace or find someone to take you on for it?

 

https://www.myerscough.ac.uk/courses/arboriculture/level-6-professional-arboriculturist-coming-soon/

Thanks,

 

I have registered my interest. Although I currently am self employed, which I like and assume this would need an employed position. I have no idea on the wage that would be offered as an apprentice, which still needs to sustain myself my share of the family. 

I shall continue to follow this up nonetheless as there are quite a few questions I'd have to see how viable this may be.

[Ledburyjosh]

2 hours ago, AA Teccie (Paul) said:

Hi Josh - I have a response from Head Office which I hope is helpful.

 

Tree life no longer offers an OFQUAL qualification at level 6 (old ‘Prof Dip’ or ABC level 6) but they still offer the same curriculum as a training certificate, as Josh has found out. In answer to his query, yes, the Association does recognise Tree Life’s ‘Accredited Training Programme in Urban Tree Management’ as adequate evidence to meet the threshold for becoming an AA Professional Member and application to become an AA Registered Consultant.

 

Myerscough’s Online Foundation degree at level 5 sounds like it might tick the box, too.

 

The other development, which may not be so useful for Josh, if he is a sole trader, is the suite of higher-level Apprenticeships in arb:

As well as the established and recently revamped Level 2 ‘Arborist’, there is

Level 4 ‘Arboriculturist’, a 2-year apprenticeship available in person at Plumpton or online at Myerscough;

Level 6 ‘Professional Arboriculturist’, now planned as a 4-year apprenticeship at Myerscough to be launched in September 2025, will be integrated with their Arboriculture BSc degree (and, as the training aspect is funded by government, is essentially a way of studying for a degree without paying the £30-odd K for the privilege).

 

However, all apprenticeships require an employer to take on the apprentice, who will normally spend around 80% of their time at work and 20% studying.

Thank you for finding that out.

 

That is great news regarding tree life's course, as this better fits with my current set up.

 

I am now keen to see if ICF accept the accredited training course in any way as part of chartership.