Agriculture

Course Overview

The role of the General Farm Worker is to support the operation of farm enterprises through maintaining a culture of health and safety, biosecurity, engaging with third parties, maintaining crop, animal handling and health, maintenance, and cleanliness of machinery. They will typically be required to drive farm vehicles and must hold the appropriate license. The individual will work alongside the supervisor, supporting daily operations for the farm enterprises, including identifying and maintaining animal or plant health performance, conducting routine tasks and assisting with general record-keeping practices.

Entry Requirements

You need to find a suitable employer in order to be able to undertake an apprenticeship.

We will need to check that you job that you are employed in gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills, and behaviours on the apprenticeship standard. You may not be eligible for the apprenticeship if you hold similar qualifications at the same or higher level.

We do not set any other entry requirements, although if you do not have a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent), you will be required to study Functional Skills English and/or Maths as part of this apprenticeship.

Training

Level 2 General Farm Worker standard, plus the following mandatory qualifications:

• Aware in Emergency First Aid at Work, which is a minimum of 1-day course (Ofqual related) (Level 3)
• City & Guilds Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Lantra Safe use of Pesticides (Level 2)
• Functional Skills English and Maths (if not achieved GCSE at a grade 4/C or above)

Delivery

Day release – 1 day a week, based in either Kendal or at Wigton Auction Mart, there will be a mixture of theory sessions and practical on-site visits to local farms.

Assessment

• Multiple choice test
• Practical assessment
• Portfolio of workplace evidence with a discussion

Start Date

September 2022

Duration

18 months + end point assessment

Course Overview

This course will suit those who operationally manage the livestock-related tasks on the farm, such as animal health and welfare from conception and birth through to the customer, and to support business productivity. The individual will make key decisions on a day-to-day basis, ensuring the standards of cross-compliance, farm assurance, biosecurity and infrastructure security are met. The Livestock Unit Technician will usually only work with one species. The role will include the safe use and maintenance of farm vehicles, including the equipment used for transporting or producing feed. The individual will be required to understand, record and meet the business Key Performance Indicators that are set out by the employer.

Entry Requirements

You need to find a suitable employer in order to be able to undertake an apprenticeship.

We will need to check that you job that you are employed in gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours on the apprenticeship standard. You may not be eligible for the apprenticeship if you hold similar qualifications at the same or higher level.

We do not set any other entry requirements, although if you do not have a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent), you will be required to study Functional Skills English and/or Maths as part of this apprenticeship.

Training

The key aspects of the course include:

• Health and Safety processes and practices
• The digestive process of commonly farmed livestock
• The legal and operational aspects of livestock record keeping and farm equipment
• Breeding and production cycles
• The different types of technology and systems used in livestock production
• How to prepare and implement health and welfare plans and schedules
• The different types of grasses, forage crops and bought-in feed are are used to support livestock nutrition and assess and manage them for optimum performance.
• Movement of livestock
• Welfare requirements
• The market factors such as price, supply chain requirements, legislation and relevant industry welfare codes, and the impact these have on the business.
• The range of stakeholders relevant to farm business and their potential impact on business success
• Operating instructions and legal requirements for operating commonly used farm vehicles with a range of attachments
• Impact of farm working practices on social, economic and environmental sustainability, including a basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability targets

Delivery

Day release – 2 days a week, based in Kendal, there will be a mixture of theory sessions and practical on-site visits to local farms.

Assessment

The apprenticeship will be assessed via an End Point Assessment

Start Date

September

Expected Duration

18 months + end point assessment

Employer Fees

• Under 19: Free for small employers
• Non-Levy: £500
• Levy: £10,000

Course Overview

The Assistant farm manager will assist in the management at every stage, from the breeding for livestock, during the production of the livestock through to either farm gate sale or direct supply to the consumer. They will consider human, plant and animal health and welfare standards, and environmental priorities. Assistant farm managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of a farm enterprise or enterprises to achieve productivity and environmental business objectives, industry benchmarks and KPIs. They will understand financial performance and control within the enterprise. Record keeping, data collection, data analysis and effective action planning will be key duties. They will manage people within their influence, which could include a small number of farm staff. They will also contribute to staff and personnel management, including appraisals, continuous professional development and updating of industry knowledge. Assistant farm managers would require relevant knowledge into current and future technologies, innovation and sustainability as this area will become a key focus in the future, such as precision farming and machinery operations. Assistant farm managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management requirements of supply chain contract requirements/protocols, farm assurance, carbon audits and legislation and industry standards for soil and management.

Entry Requirements

You need to find a suitable employer to be able to undertake an apprenticeship.

We will need to check that you job that you are employed in gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours on the apprenticeship standard. You may not be eligible for the apprenticeship if you hold similar qualifications at the same or higher level.

You may be required to undertake Functional Skills if you haven’t already achieved your English and Maths GCSE or equivalent at grade 4/C or above.

Qualification Studied

Level 4 Assistant Farm Manager Apprenticeship

Ofqual regulated Level 3 award in first aid at work (3-day course)

Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City & Guilds Level 2 Principles of safe handling and application of pesticides

Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticide Using Hand Held Equipment OR City & Guilds Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand-Held Equipment

Topics Covered

• Day-to-day management of a farm enterprise or enterprises to achieve productivity and environmental business objectives, industry benchmarks and KPIs.
• Understand financial performance and control within the enterprise. Record keeping, data collection, data analysis and effective action planning will be key duties.
• Manage people within their influence, which could include a small number of farm staff. They will also contribute to staff and personnel management, including appraisals, continuous professional development and updating of industry knowledge.
• Relevant knowledge into current and future technologies, innovation and sustainability as this area will become a key focus in the future, such as precision farming and machinery operations.
• Assistant farm managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management requirements of supply chain contract requirements/protocols, farm assurance, carbon audits and legislation and industry standards for soil and management
• Human, plant and animal health and welfare standards, and environmental priorities

Delivery Model

1 day per month at our Milnthorpe Road Campus, plus a monthly tutorial in the workplace, in person or on Teams with your tutor.

Assessment

This apprenticeship will be assessed by an End Point Assessment.

Functional Skills

You may be required to undertake Functional Skills if you haven’t already achieved your English and Maths GCSE or equivalent at grade 4/C or above.

Start Date: June 2024

Duration (On Programme) + EPA: 24 months + 5 months for End Point Assessment