- Duration
1 year
- Attendance
- 3 days per week in college, 1 day per week in industry
- Location
- Plumpton College
Course Overview
Whether you’re working in the farm industry at the moment or thinking about starting your career, you’ll need to be aware of all of the changes and developments in equipment that you’ll use on a daily basis.
Which is why you need to keep up to date with the latest technological advances. At Plumpton, you’ll find that our courses cover a wide range of equipment, giving you all the practical hands-on skills and knowledge you’ll need. We’ve got courses to suit, whether you’re leaving school and ready for college, or looking for degree or similar level courses. You’ll soon learn all the necessary skills to maintain, operate and repair machinery.
Course content
- Health and Safety for land-based industries
- Land-based engineering workshop practices
- Transmission and driveline operation principles
- Engine operation principles
- Fabrication, cutting and joining
- Land-based vehicle electrics
- Hydraulic systems
- Land-based vehicle and machinery operation
- Working in the land-based engineering industry
Work Experience
Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme.
Careers Hub
We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Entry Requirements
Either:
- You'll need to have achieved 2 or more GCSEs between grade 9-3 (previous grade structure A*-D)
- Successful completion of a related Level 1 course, having studied English and Maths at GCSE level
Mature students without the above requirements will be considered.
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.
Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.
Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending depending on the course studied.
Work Experience
Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave 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.
Course Dates
- Start Date
- 7 September 2026
- End Date
- 25 June 2027
