General Farm Worker

Course overview

A General Farm Worker apprentice will support the general 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.

A General Farm Worker 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. The
individual will manage the storage of forage and crop, minimising waste and
disposing of necessary waste appropriately. Animal welfare and risk awareness
and prevention are integral to this occupation.

This Apprenticeship Standard takes a core and options approach. All
apprentices will complete the core units and depending on their workplace duties
will complete either of the following two pathways:

• Livestock Worker


• Crop Worker

What all apprentices will learn (core elements)

To undertake “safe and effective” activities as instructed and actively
record daily activity. For example, cleaning machinery, monitoring and recording
livestock (livestock checks)
Operate within strict bio-security practices.
For example, implementing visitor policy
Maintain a satisfactory environment
for the animals such as ensuring clean bedding, water and shelter
Operate
agricultural vehicles relevant to the business safely, legally and in line with
current legislation
Recognise environmental risk and carry out operations to
minimise environmental impact, such as avoiding pollution of soil, air and water
courses. Check and maintain field boundaries
Prepare and maintain crop/forage
storage as instructed. Including monitoring pests and vermin in crop or bulk
bins and temperature monitoring
Monitor and maintain farm infrastructure,
machinery and non-production areas as instructed. For example, checking oil in
farm machinery, maintaining fences, general building maintenance
Implement
effective storage and disposal of waste in accordance with regulation; such as
chemicals, sharps, organic and non-organic waste

For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and
learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link:
General Farm Worker Level 2

What a livestock pathway apprentice will learn

• Carry out routine health and welfare checks on livestock and report on
  health and production performance when this is abnormal. This includes
  administration of routine treatments, under supervision and engaging with
  third parties such as vets


• Monitor and select grass for either grazing or forage production –
  recognising and reporting on the growth, health and maintenance of a chosen
  grassland sward.


• Feed Animals as per instruction and ensuring fresh water is always
  accessible


• Monitor animals prior to, during and post parturition, assisting with
  associated husbandry tasks


• Perform relevant stock breeding related tasks under instruction; selection
  of animals, identification of signs of heat, assisting with service
  duties

What a crop worker pathway apprentice will learn

• Perform crop and or forage operations as per instruction. For example,
  combining, plate meter reading


• Recognise and record (verbally and written) the growth and health of
  crops


• Assist with preparation and planting of field scale crops


• Safely load, unload and transport harvested crops in accordance with
  legislation and codes of practice


• Recognise good and poor quality in growing, harvested and stored
  crops
  

Qualifications

Apprenticeship Certificate
Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
City
& Guilds Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of
Pesticides
Level 1 in maths and/or English Functional Skills (if
applicable)

Delivery Model

Regular learning, skills and knowledge assessment and research work at
Plumpton College alongside blended online learning. Attendance at college one
day a fortnight (term time only) with quarterly workplace competency and
efficiency observation, assessments and reviews.

The entry requirements for all Level 2 programmes, will require either:

GCSE 1 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
GCSE
H or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
Entry 3
Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) at this level
or Level 1 or 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.

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.