Approx. duration: 24 months
Start Date: Anytime
Attendance: One day a week at the Rural campus
Entry requirements: Entry into the Apprenticeship is subject to a thorough initial assessment to clarify course suitability. You may be required to come in and undertake an interview or assessment. Entry onto the Apprenticeship is subject to 4 GCSEs including Maths and English 9-4/A*-C or a commitment to undertake Level 2 Maths and English. Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week and have a contract of employment.
On-programme learning:
- Crop Technician Standard
- English and Maths (if required) Level 2
- Safe Use of Pesticides
- Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
Progression: On completion of this Apprenticeship, Crop technicians will have the opportunity to progress within the industry into roles such as unit/arable manager, production manager and farm manager.
Course Summary: Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the need of both the Apprentice and their employer.
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 to date with technological advances and new innovations.
Being a Crop Technician requires self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently Many companies now use automation for a number of routine tasks, which will require technical skills to operate. This standard provides the opportunity for individuals to acquire the ‘knowledge’, ‘skills’ and ‘behaviours’ required and follows a ‘core and options’ approach. This allows the flexibility to learn core subjects and then specialise in either ‘soil based system’ or ‘containerised systems’.