Apprenticeships in
Agriculture – General Farm Worker or Livestock Unit Technician
An ideal opportunity to ‘earn as you learn’. You’ll combine paid work on a farm with studying one day a week at Reaseheath.
You will learn technical skills and continue to build on your existing experience and knowledge whilst specialising in livestock production or you will learn how to manage the livestock related tasks on a farm helping to make key decisions which will impact the business.
If you are not currently employed in the industry, we may be able to help you link with an employer, or help you to find an apprenticeship.
What will I study?
- Health and safety/record keeping
- Animal welfare and production
- Learning current industry technology and automatic options e.g. robotic milking, GPS
- Breeding programmes
- Grassland and forage production
- Bio-security
- Legally operate a farm vehicle
- Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
- You will have the opportunity to work towards additional qualifications
How long will it take?
- 12 to 18 months depending on previous experience (1 day per week)
What qualifications do I need to start?
- Preferably GCSEs at grade 3 or above to include English and Maths
What qualifications will I gain?
- Level 2 Apprenticeship in General Farm Worker
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
- Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides
- Additional training is provided in a number of disciplines
- Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
Course options after this programme
- Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician
Career options
- Farm manager
- Commercial sales representative
- Herds manager
- Self-employed contractor
- General farm worker
Student Profile
Jack Vaughan
Ambition: Farm manager
School: Malbank School and Sixth Form College
Age: 19
A fourth generation farmer, Jack eventually wants to take over the management of his family’s dairy farm.
He already helps his father run their herd of 300 Holstein Friesians and is involved in discussions about future introduction of new technology such as robotic milking.
Jack previously did a Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair with us and has found his engine technology skills useful when he’s working with tractors. Now that he’s decided his career lies in farm management he’s continued to study as an agricultural apprentice and comes into college one day a week. He plans to take his qualifications further by studying for a degree or other higher level course.
During his apprenticeship he’s learned about accounts and management and other useful subjects such as animal health and farm diversification. He’s also seen how we operate our own dairy and commercial sheep and pig units.
Jack says: “I find the course topics are very helpful. But the best thing about coming to college is that it encourages you to be forward thinking. You listen to other people, compare notes and come up with new ideas.”