Poultry worker
Level 2 · IntermediateAgriculture, environmental and animal care 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 2 apprenticeship trains you to carry out practical day-to-day tasks in poultry production, including caring for flocks, maintaining housing, and supporting biosecurity on commercial poultry farms. You will develop hands-on skills in poultry husbandry and welfare under supervision. It can lead to senior poultry worker, flock supervisor, or poultry technician roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Basic poultry husbandry and daily care routines for commercial flocks
Animal welfare standards and legislation relevant to poultry workers
Biosecurity measures and why they are critical in poultry production
Safe handling, catching, and loading of live birds
Cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of poultry housing
Health and safety on farms including manual handling and zoonosis
Record-keeping for flock management including mortality and feeding records
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Check birds daily for health, welfare, and abnormal behaviour
Fill and monitor feed and water systems in poultry houses
Collect and record eggs or carcass data as required
Clean out and disinfect poultry housing between flock placements
Apply biosecurity rules including footbaths, protective clothing, and access logs
Assist with catching, crating, and loading birds for transport or processing
Report health concerns or welfare issues to the farm supervisor immediately
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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