Level 6 Woodland Officer Apprentice

United Utilities; Keswick; On-site; GBP 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the United Kingdom is offering an apprenticeship for a Woodland Officer. This exciting role involves managing woodland, enhancing water quality, and working on environmental projects. Apprentices will receive extensive training and a generous salary of £21,000, plus additional benefits including 26 days of leave and support for learning to drive. Successful candidates will gain a Level 6 Professional Forester qualification and secure a permanent position upon completion.

Benefits

Generous salary

26 days leave

£500 contribution towards learning to drive

Permanent position guarantee upon completion

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.
• Plus A levels or equivalent qualifications totaling a minimum of 96 UCAS points.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Enthusiasm to gain hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and improve the company's trees and woodland.
• Develop and implement forest management and design plans.
• Prepare for and manage the FSC audit process.
• Assess land for new woodland creation opportunities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Education

5 GCSEs (including Maths, English, Science or Technology)

A levels (minimum 96 UCAS points)

Tools

GIS and mapping software

Job description

Job number UU04713 Country United Kingdom Region Cumbria Location name Thirlmere Forestry, Thirlmere, Nr Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4TQ Posting End Date 24/02/2026 Band APSX Role Type Apprenticeship Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary £21,000

Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and stronger North West ? Come and join us! With a range of award-winning roles on offer, you’re sure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities. We’ll provide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Who are United Utilities?

United Utilitiesisaccountableforwater and wastewater services in theNorth Westof England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in theNorth Westin 100 years - that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make theNorth Weststronger, greener, and healthier.

To support in our delivery UnitedUtilitiesis the UK’s largest corporatelandownerwith over 56,000Ha of land in our stewardship.This includessome of the Uk’s most valuable habitats.We own this land to ensure that the water that flows from it is of the highestqualitybut it also provides us witha great opportunityto manage and improve itto enhance theresilience andbiodiversity in these catchments.

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, ouraward winning apprenticeprogramme will give you first-class training and support,alignedwith an in-depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve.

Working in theNorthWestmeansthere'sa lot of ground to cover. You could have the opportunity to work in the heart of the Lake District, or you could sample a taste of city life. As well as ourmain officein Warrington we also recruit for a varietyofroles based across theNorth West; we have 575 wastewater treatmentworksand 96 water treatment works in areas from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria.

Whichever schemeyou join,you’llbe at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry. Ready to flow into your future with us?

Life as a United Utilities Apprentice

Our apprentices are well looked after, with a generous salary, 26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits.

You’llhave a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is thatyou’rewilling to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively.

Start living your future, today!

As aLevel 6 WoodlandOfficerApprentice ,you’lllearn how to:

• Effectively manage and improve thecompany's trees and woodland throughout the catchment,in order toprotect water quality, provide amenity, and enhance reputation.
• Developand implement forest management and design plans in line with FSC guidelines for all trees and woodlands within the catchment.
• Managethecompany’swoodlands to ensurewemaintainthe company’s FSC accreditationincluding preparing for and managing the audit process
• Represent UU at meetings with stakeholders including local authorities, utility companies, contractors, partners etc. ensuring that the Company's interests are protected and the Company's reputation enhanced
• Assess land toidentifyopportunities to create new woodland
• Apply for grants to deliver new woodland creation and existing woodland management

A bit more about the role

Your apprenticeship will last 48 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 6 Professional Forester (integrated degree) endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Your training will be at your workplace and block release at the university.If youdo not live near, accommodation will bereimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.

Whatwe’relooking for: We’re looking for someone keen to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and achieve the standards needed to succeed in this role.

You’llneed to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject
• PlusA levelsorequivalentqualificationstotallinga minimum of 96 UCAS points
• FullUKdrivinglicenceupon application
• An understanding of woodland management, Silviculture and Arboriculture
• An understanding of the UK Forestry Standard and UK Woodland Assurance Standard
• Knowledgeofthe Grantsand Licensing associated with Woodland Management
• An understanding of tree & woodland Legislation and wider planning considerations
• Strong interpersonal and Communication skills
• Good analytical skills
• Computer literate ideally withGIS and mapping experience
• Enthusiasmto gain hands on experience, develop practical skills and achieve the qualifications needed to succeed in the role
• Great ability towork as part of a team
• Theability to manage time and workload to get things done.

Whychooseus tokickstartyourcareer?

• Secureyourfuture – Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme*
• Aspringboard toyourcareer –You’llreceive structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high-quality learning to help shape your career
• Inspire thenextgeneration –You’llhave the chance torepresent United Utilities at key events across the region, engaging with young people to bring careers in the water industry to life
• Reward andbenefits – There are lots ofperks, including acompetitivestarting salaryof £21,000,which will increase each year based on performance
• Bepart of the UUfamily –You’llhave the chance to network, bond, and learn from your colleagues and fellow apprentices

*As long asyou meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme.

We need fantastic people to help us deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community, supporting our employees to achieve their full potential, and ensuring everyone feels valued and included, regardless of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

Additional Information

Please check and ensure that you are comfortable with the following points before you apply:

• It is essential that you live within a reasonable commuting distance of the core location of your apprenticeship
• As part of your induction, you will attend a residential trip in the Lake District.This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a beautiful setting with your fellow apprentices.Accommodation and boarding will be provided
• During your apprenticeship, you may need to travel to your place of study. Ifyou’renot local to your place of study,accommodation will be provided by United Utilities during this period (excluding weekends). Please consider travel requirements and staying away from home if applicable

Depending on the role that you are applying for, our recruitment processmayrequireyou to complete:

• An Online application form
• Online tests
• Anin-personinterview (and presentation)or assessment centre
• A technical test

Important Notes If you are offered a job with us,a number ofpre-employment checks will need to be carried out before your appointment can be confirmed. Any offer of employment with United Utilities will be subject to a satisfactory reportfrom the Disclosure Scotland/ the Disclosure and Barring Service.