General Farm Worker Apprenticeship Level 2
Course Details
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Department
Agriculture -
Qualification
Level 2 -
Length
18 months -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
An apprenticeship is a job with training. The job must have a productive purpose and should provide the apprentice with the opportunity to embed and consolidate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their immediate job and future career.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
As a minimum requirement, all new Apprentices are expected to have already have attained L1 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 2 (or old GCSE Grade E) or above
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
for students over the age of 19 please contact us
Course summary
With over 150,000 businesses, the agriculture industry offers exciting and varied careers in the UK and abroad. The industry provides the opportunity to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment, with businesses ranging from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain.
A General Farm Worker will work alongside a supervisor, supporting daily operations for the farm enterprises including being responsible for carrying out routine work such as assisting with animal and plant health and nutrition, maintaining health and safety and biosecurity, operating farm vehicles and optimising the environmental impacts of animal and crop performance. Office work is minimal although basic daily record keeping will be required. They will also typically be required to drive farm vehicles and operate equipment safely.
This Apprenticeship Standard includes the completion of core requirements and then one option appropriate to their role: Livestock Worker or Crop Worker.
This apprenticeship is the starting point for those wishing to work directly on a farm. On completion apprentices can progress to the Livestock Unit Technician or Crop Technician apprenticeship, where they have sufficient responsibility within their job role.
Key Information
Through your daily work with your employer and your training sessions with the college, you will learn the core content covering the generic requirements of looking after animals and crops competently including:
- Demonstrating high levels of health and safety awareness
- Maintaining correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for sites
- Maintaining animal welfare related to their environment and housing
- Assisting with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
- Legally and competently operate farm vehicles and attachments
- Demonstrating good environmental practice in the workplace
- Assisting with post-harvest activities to meet specifications
- Carrying out maintenance of farm infrastructure, machinery and equipment
- Completing manual and electronic records
You will also cover content for either Crops or Livestock options:
Crops
- Performing crop and or forage operations such as harvesting, plate meter reading
- Recognising and reporting on the growth and health of crops
- Assisting with preparation and planting of field scale crops
- Safely loading/unloading and transporting harvested crops
- Recognising and reporting on the quality of growing, harvested and stored crops
Livestock
- Carrying out routine health and welfare checks on livestock
- Assisting with administering of routine treatments and engaging with third parties such as vets
- Monitoring grass growth and health for either grazing or forage production
- Feeding animals and ensuring fresh water is always accessible
- Monitoring animals during pregnancy and parturition, and assisting with associated husbandry tasks
On successful completion of the training period, you will move through End Point Assessment Gateway and be in a position to undertake the assessments required in order to achieve your apprenticeship.
The End Point Assessment will only start once the employer is satisfied that you are consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements have been met and that they can be evidenced to an End Point Assessment Organisation.
The End Point Assessor will be appointed by the EPAO and will be entirely independent to the college.
For this apprenticeship the End Point Assessment will include:
- Multiple choice exam, usually taken at college
- Practical assessment of tasks in your workplace
- Professional discussion in your workplace
Your apprenticeship will be graded Fail, Pass or Distinction.
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The maximum duration for this apprenticeship training period is 18 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End Point Assessment.
This could be reduced where an apprentice holds previous experience.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
As a minimum requirement, all new Apprentices are expected to have already have attained L1 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 2 (or old GCSE Grade E) or above
All Apprentices will also be required to work towards L2 Maths & English where not previously attained.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training, where fees are applicable. We will discuss this with your employer when we complete a set-up with them.
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation.
Click here to find more information about the National Minimum Wage.
Employer involvement
Your employer must enable you to spend a minimum of 20% of your usual work hours undertaking off-job learning. This is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.
This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties, and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
Off-job learning could include the following:
- Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training
- Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
- Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the End Point Assessment.
They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction.
College input
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, provide well planned vocational training and theory delivery by block release model and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
This programme is delivered at our York Campus on block-release.
How to apply
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website.
Please, check out our form to apply.
Upon receipt of your application you will have an interview with the Course Manager
Further information
Further information is available on:
General farm worker / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
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York Campus
York is one of the College's two residential campuses and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
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