T Level in Agriculture, Land Management & Production – Livestock Production

Course overview

Build your future in livestock production

Are you passionate about livestock, farming and the countryside? Our T Level
in Agriculture, Land Management & Production – Livestock Production will
help you develop the knowledge, practical skills and industry experience needed
to begin a rewarding career in modern agriculture.

This technical qualification is designed to prepare you for a wide range of
careers across agriculture, land management and production. You’ll learn how the
industry operates, explore different job roles and develop the professional
skills needed to work safely, effectively and responsibly in a commercial
setting.

Develop your agricultural knowledge and skills

You’ll begin by studying the Common Core, which provides
essential foundations for careers across the agriculture and land management
industries. This includes developing your understanding of the sector, the range
of occupational roles available and the knowledge and skills needed to progress
within the industry.

You’ll then follow the Agriculture Core Pathway, focusing on
the specialist knowledge required for your chosen occupational specialism in
livestock production. Through classroom, workshop and practical learning, you’ll
build the competencies needed to enter the industry and continue developing your
abilities with appropriate support and training.

You’ll explore areas such as:

• Livestock production systems


• Animal health, welfare and nutrition


• Farm operations and management


• Agricultural technology and machinery


• Health, safety and biosecurity


• Sustainable agriculture and land management


• Professional behaviours and working in the agricultural industry

Learn through practical experience

At Plumpton College, you’ll benefit from a combination of classroom-based
study, workshop activities and practical learning. You’ll have opportunities to
apply your knowledge in realistic agricultural settings and develop the
confidence and competence employers are looking for.

The T Level is made up of:

• 80% classroom and workshop-based learning


• 20% industry placement

Your industry placement will provide 315 hours of meaningful work
experience – approximately 45 days over the duration of the course.
You’ll work in an industry setting relevant to your T Level programme,
giving you the opportunity to apply your learning, develop professional networks
and gain a genuine insight into working in livestock production.

Prepare for your next step

By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a strong foundation of
technical knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience. You’ll be able
to demonstrate your abilities over time, with appropriate support and training,
and take your next step into the agricultural industry.

You could progress into employment, a higher-level apprenticeship or further
study in agriculture, land management or a related subject. Whether your
ambition is to work with livestock, manage a farm or explore another area of
modern agriculture, this T Level will help you move closer to your
goals.

Modules

Common core modules:

• Sustainability, including environmental legislation, sustainable development, climate change and waste management principles
• The principles of biosecurity
• Employment rights and responsibilities and progression opportunities within the sector
• Ethical principles
• The supply chain and principles of stock management
• Business organisations, enterprise skills and project management
• Characteristics protected by equality legislation
• Communication
• Principles of customer care
• Finance
• Health and safety
• Information and data

Common pathway – livestock production modules:

• Health and safety
• Sustainability
• Biosecurity
• Supply chain
• Stock management ‘non feed’
• Bodily systems
• Nutrition
• Medicine
• Technology and equipment
• Data and information

Employer set project:

• Plan approach to meeting the brief
• Apply core knowledge and skills as appropriate
• Select relevant techniques and resources to meet the brief
• Use maths, English and digital skills
• Realise project outcome and review how well the outcome meets the brief

Occupational specialism

• Optimise animal breeding and production
• Rear and optimise livestock production
• Maintain areas surrounding livestock
• Tasks could include:
• Husbandry tasks, Rearing, Livestock production, Feeding and accommodation, Crop production, Machinery and equipment, Estate maintenance, Environment and accommodation, Health, welfare and performance, Areas of the livestock production environment, as well as Performance data

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by exams, assignments, industry experience on a range of theoretical knowledge, occupational specialism, and employer set project.

The T Level includes 9 weeks minimum working with an employer on a commercial farm.

Work experience

Industry placements enhance your studies and are an important part of your course. They ensure you develop the key skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to be successful in your chosen industry, resulting in you leaving college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course. The number of hours you must complete will depend on your level of study.

Course Level:

• Level 1 – Minimum of 30 hours of industry placement
• Level 2 – Minimum of 75 hours of industry placement
• Level 3 – Minimum of 150 hours of industry placement (per year of your course)
• T Level – Minimum of 315 hours of industry placement

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4 and above to include English, Maths and Science OR a Level 2 in a related subject plus English and Maths, at least grade 4