Apprenticeship training course

Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser (level 6)

Consult with and provide technical advice to farmers and growers to help them support their crop husbandry, based on latest scientific thinking, environmental requirements and in line with legislation and policy.

• Qualification level: 6 ; Equivalent to degree.
• Typical duration: 30 months
• Apprenticeship category: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Maximum funding: £14,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Agronomist
  • Consultant
  • Crop consultant
  • Environment specialist
  • Environmental specialist
  • Nutritionist
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Demonstrate clear communication skills with the ability to convey complex information objectively in both verbal and written forms
  • Utilise up to date information and evidence to challenge views based on outdated or biased rationale
  • Undertake critical analysis incorporating environmental knowledge with agronomic data to support decision making which creates solutions that meet farmer or customer needs
  • Calculate any associated cost implications of husbandry advice
  • Interpret and advise on implications of policy, legislation and best practice
  • Carry out appropriate risk analysis and provide necessary reports
  • Maintain accurate and up to date records setting out information relating to customer contact, advice and recommendations and store records in a manner that complies with GDPR principles
  • Produce reports in a comprehensible format and timely manner
  • Facilitate (and chair if necessary) meetings to deliver the required outcomes and decisions, adopting the best choice of media for the content being shared with the participants
  • Comply with Health and Safety regulations and follow farmer and customer protocols and conduct own activities in a manner that protects self, others and the environment from potential harm
  • Recognise their own working style and the preferred working style or approach of the farmer or customer, adapting own approach to match their needs with the requirements of the activity involved
  • Build internal and external relationships that are durable, ethically sound, trust-based and where information and advice is shared in a professional and appropriate manner
  • Build a network of grower contacts and industry stakeholders to gather information and knowledge to enhance own professional development
  • Utilise time management techniques to organise self, others and activities to maximise personal efficiency and enhance timely delivery of services to the farmer or customer
  • Evaluate changes to legislation and policy, calculating risks and impacts for Farmers or Growers including logistical and financial implications
  • Be solutions-focused by recognising the expectations of Farmers or Growers and their key decision-makers and aspire to exceed expectations when opportunities arise
  • Create and maintain a CPD plan to support learning and development both for themselves (and colleagues for whom they may be managing)
  • Share good practice or best practice in a way that empowers colleagues and Farmers or Growers to succeed
  • Analyse, record and present information to produce customer advisory recommendations or to provide customer analysis and business insight
  • Use data (from own notes or records, Precision Farming sources or 3rd party sources) to analyse and solve farmer or grower problems
  • Implement and comply with complaints procedures and protocols as stipulated by the business or the farmer or grower
  • Employ active listening, questioning, summarising and influencing techniques to ensure relevant information and views are understood in order to determine an optimal solution for the farmer or grower
  • Deal effectively with client, customers and colleagues at every level of the organisation as required by the role
  • Engage and network proactively with farmer or grower decision-makers and colleagues, including senior management as required, to deliver business outcomes in appropriate time-frames
  • Conduct effective communication using the best match of style and medium (face-to-face, phone, email, report) when seeking to meet the farmer or grower needs
  • Align activities against expected outcomes after objectively assessing own capability
  • Effectively coach and/or mentor others in their personal development and use of effective methods
  • Review own progress against targets and re-prioritise when required, to ensure service delivery is on target and own short- and long-term goals are being achieved
  • Effectively manage demands or pressures that could distract from the priorities of the business, the customer or the individuals own personal health and well being
  • Use a balanced and objective approach with Farmers or Growers when providing advice and through negotiations, by understanding their needs and the value they assign to agronomy and nutrition services, support and advice

Full information on Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser (level 6) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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