Crop Technician (Arable Farming) Level 3 Apprenticeship

Course overview

Duration
Typically 22 months (some apprentices could complete sooner
depending on their previous experience and qualifications, their perfomance
during the apprenticeship and the opportunity to develop their skills and
knowledge in the workplace) practical period with 3-month End Point Assessment
window.

Course Overview
As a Arable Farming Crop Technician, you will be
responsible for optimising crop yields through establishment, management,
harvest, and post-harvest operations, while maintaining and improving the
surrounding environment.

You will also need to keep up to date with technological advances and
innovations. A Crop Technician requires self-motivation and the ability to work
independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently.

This apprenticeship covers the core requirements of a crop technician with
the specialist ‘soil-based system’ pathway

What apprentices will learn

• Prepare seed bed/growing medium for maximum growth potential


• How to carry relevant establishment of crops for efficient growth


• Competently operate (to the equivalent of a certified level) a relevant
  vehicle used in the business


• How to correctly set machinery and monitoring machine performance for good
  seed establishment and crop growth


• How to correctly set machinery to match crop and soil condition and
  quality requirements during harvest


• The impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage.


• Control of pests, weeds and diseases including safe use, application and
  storage of chemicals


• How to carry out plant nutrient application and/or irrigation tasks if
  applicable to aid growth of crop


• How carry out harvesting operations including assessment of timing and
  quality


• How to appropriate harvesting techniques to match crop condition and
  quality requirements


• How to store crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality


• Soil/substrate maintenance tasks to ensure efficient and healthy growth of
  the crop/plant


• Soil/substrate sampling and acting upon results as appropriate to ensure
  nutrition is correct


• Health and safety legislation and codes of practice in relation to the job
  role/workplace including contingency/emergency plans


• Environmental issues/legislation, codes of practice and company
  policies


• Importance of maintaining systems for record keeping and storage used
  within the organisation


• Maintenance/efficient use of machinery and equipment


• Preparation methods, timing of activities and aftercare requirements for
  the crops grown on-site


• Crop identification and establishment process including principles and
  methods


• Principles of plant growth and development and plant health


• Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on business
  profitability


• Identification of key pests weeds and diseases and awareness of control
  mechanisms including potential impact on environment


• Relationship between environmental conditions (including weather), plant
  protection methods and crop growth


• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated
  and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this
  link: Crop Technician Arable Level 3

Qualifications Awarded

• Apprenticeship Certificate


• Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work


• Level 2 in maths and English (if applicable)


• Level 2 award in the safe use of pesticides, and one of:




• Boom sprayer mounted, trailed, or self-propelled equipment


• Granular applicator equipment


• Handheld applicator equipment

Delivery model
A mix of online knowledge delivery and weekly practical
learning at Plumpton College (term time only/ about 30 days yearly) will include
skills and knowledge assessment and undertaking practical learning period
qualifications. Quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation and
assessments.

Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for all apprentices aged 18 or
under at time of enrolment, will require either:

• GCSE 3 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths


• GCSE D or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths


• Level1 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification|)
  at this level or Level 2

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get
in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have
affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support
of the application on an individual basis.

For all apprentices aged 19 and over at time of enrolment, Functional Skills
is an optional component of your apprenticeship programme. As a college, we
support the progression of all our apprentices and provide the opportunity to
undertake Functional Skills English and/or maths as part of your apprenticeship
qualification. Throughout your pre-enrolment, you and your employer will have
the opportunity to discuss this in more detail to help facilitate your
decision.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete
an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session
in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will
indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not
got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this
grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not
be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of
your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE
you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and
Maths sessions.

To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a
contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed
please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the
necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship.
Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that
will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end
point assessment.

If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main
Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship
opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing
employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team
on  01273 892127 or via email.