This paves the way for the next step in the process; the development by employers, with the support of training providers and assessment organisations, of assessment plans, which will define how apprentices are measured and tested against the standards.
The Government's Trailblazer Apprenticeships programme was developed after a review in 2012 of the existing apprenticeships offer. It now aims to ensure that apprenticeships are employer-led and tailored to the needs of industry.
The Trailblazer scheme covers many sectors, including arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape. The new Arboriculture and Forestry Apprenticeship Standards received the Government's green light in the autumn of 2015.
Offered at two levels – Supervisor and Operative – and covering two disciplines –Horticulture and Landscape Construction, the new apprenticeships will serve a wide range of businesses, large and small, operating in landscape construction and grounds maintenance in the private, public and commercial sectors.
The lead employer for the trailblazer is Bartlett Tree Experts Ltd, who are also heading up the arboriculture working group. The Duchy of Cornwall are leading for the forestry industry and Ground Control is leading on horticulture and landscape.
Ground Control's Neil Huck, chair of the Horticulture and Landscape Working Group, said: "This has been an intensive process that has required the determination of everyone involved.
"By working together we have identified the critical skill sets employers need in their staff and we are now establishing an effective and robust programme of delivery and assessment. Once the new apprenticeships come online the future of the horticulture and landscape industries will look considerably brighter as young people see a real career path ahead of them."
Around 60 organisations are involved in the scheme including:
Arboricultural Association
Ground Control
Association of Professional Landscapers (APL)
Herefordshire and Ludlow College
Bartlett Tree Experts
Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme
Beechwood Trees & Landscapes
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
Ian Trueman Specialist Tree Services
Capel Manor College and Gardens
ISS Facility Services Landscaping
City & Guilds
John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance
City of London
Keits Training Services
Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor)
Lantra
Continental Landscapes
National Trust
Easton & Otley College
Quadron idverde
English Heritage
Ringrose Tree Services
Euroforest
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA)
Royal Horticultural Society
Forestry Commission
Say it With Wood
Fountains Forestry
Tree Maintenance Ltd
Glendale Managed Services
Wildlife Gardening Forum
