General farm worker
Level 2 · IntermediateAgriculture, environmental and animal care 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A General Farm Worker apprenticeship trains you in the broad practical skills required to work effectively on arable, livestock, or mixed farming operations, including animal husbandry, crop production, machinery operation, and farm maintenance. You will develop an understanding of farming systems and the seasonal nature of agricultural work. This standard leads to progression as a farm supervisor, specialist stockperson, or agricultural machinery operator.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Animal husbandry and basic livestock health care
Arable operations including drilling, spraying, and harvesting
Safe operation of tractors, implements, and farm machinery
Health, safety, and manual handling on farms
Farm maintenance including fencing, drainage, and buildings
Environmental and cross-compliance responsibilities
Recognising and reporting plant and animal disease
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Feed, water, and check livestock daily
Operate tractors and farm machinery safely
Assist with planting, spraying, and harvesting crops
Carry out routine maintenance of farm buildings and equipment
Erect and repair fences and maintain field boundaries
Monitor animal and plant health and report concerns
Follow health, safety, and environmental farm regulations
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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