Crop Technician (Organic Crop Production) Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship is designed for employees in fruit and vegetable growing enterprises. Be it a market garden or large field production of vegetables, the apprenticeship covers the knowledge and skills needed to become a professional grower. 

As a Crop Technician, you will be responsible for optimising crop/plant yields through establishment, management, harvest and post-harvest operations while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment. You will also need to keep up with technological advances and innovations. Being a Crop Technician requires self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently.

What apprentices will learn

• Prepare seed bed/growing medium for maximum growth potential
• Carry out relevant establishment of crops for efficient growth
• Maintaining and operating machinery
• Preparing growing mediums for maximum yield
• Controlling pests, weeds, and diseases
• Principles of plant growth and development and plant health
• Environmental issues/legislation, codes of practice
• Carry out plant nutrient application e.g composted farm yard manure
• Irrigation tasks to aid growth of crop 
• Harvesting techniques
• Harvesting operations including assessment of timing and quality
• Relationship between environmental conditions, plant protection methods and crop growth
• Keeping accurate records
• Health, safety and security
• Input costs, costs of production, margins and impact on business profitability
• Marketing to customers

Delivery Model

Monthly block of four days (Monday - Thursday) of practical training at Plumpton College during Autumn. Winter and Spring with workplace observations and online theory workshops during the Summer months.

Assessment Breakdown

The apprenticeship is assessed in an End Point Assessment which includes:

• Knowledge test
• Practical test
• Professional discussion

Qualifications Gained

• Apprenticeship Certificate (Crop Technician Level 3: Soil-based system)
• Level 3 Emergency First Aid 
• Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1)
• PA2 (Boom Sprayer) OR PA6 (Hand Held Applicators)
• Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)

Facilities

• Apprentices will have practical workshops at Plumpton College, with access to the college's commercial farm consisting of 2000 acres in the most beautiful setting of the South Downs.
• Teaching staff are passionate about sustainable and local food systems and have been growing vegetables organically and biodynamically for 20 years. With the Apprenticeship Programme Manager previouslythe farm director and garden manager at Old Plawhatch farm in Sussex. 
• Apprentices receive discounts on accredited qualifications offered by LandPro Training

Future Opportunities

Future Opportunities

• Employment/ self-employed - a grower in a fruit and vegetable growing enterprise
• Farm or Garden Manager
• Academic degree: Horticulture Management or similar