Farm worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college, such as:

• Level 1 Certificate in Practical Farm Animal Care Skills
• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Agriculture
• Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Courses combine theory and practical skills and include units on crop production, animal husbandry and operating farm machinery.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships might be relevant depending on the type of farming you're interested in:

• general farm worker intermediate apprenticeship
• poultry worker intermediate apprenticeship
• poultry technician advanced apprenticeship
• livestock unit technician advanced apprenticeship

It will usually take 12 to 18 months to complete one of these apprenticeships.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

There is no particular qualification you need to become a farm worker but it might help if you:

• have an interest in farming
• enjoy working outdoors
• have experience of working on a farm from a weekend or holiday job

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• physical skills like strength, balance and coordination
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• observation and recording skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• leadership skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• business management skills
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of biology

What you'll do:

Farm workers raise livestock and use machinery to plant and harvest crops.

Your day-to-day duties will depend on the time of year and the type of farm you work on.

You could:

• feed and look after farm animals
• treat animals and crops to prevent disease
• plough fields, sow seeds and harvest crops
• operate and repair farm machinery like tractors, ploughs and milking machinery on dairy farms
• maintain farm buildings
• trim hedges, clear drains and ditches and mend fences and walls

Location : You could work on a farm.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, dusty and dirty.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £25,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

46 - 48 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

Career Path:

With qualifications and experience, you could:

• supervise or manage a large farm, though you may have to move between farms to get experience or a promotion
• work as a contractor to maintain machinery or supply services to more than one farm
• work on agricultural equipment and supplies