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Apprenticeship training course

General farm worker (level 2)

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Information about General farm worker (level 2)

Support the operation of a farm.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • How to prepare risk assessments including identifying risks and hazards on the farm, and where to get advice and guidance
  • The importance of biosecurity and how it is managed
  • How animal welfare requirements are met and signs of health and, or ill health in livestock (cattle: beef and dairy, pigs, sheep and goats). The zoonotic, non-zoonotic and notifiable diseases (for example, BSE) and their impact on human health
  • The responsibilities relating to movement of livestock, under health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulation and local policy.. This should include suitable methods of restraint and handling for stock of different ages.
  • How to prepare and operate agricultural vehicles and attachments in accordance with relevant legislation. For example, tractor, quad bike, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Forklift
  • Concepts of good environmental, social and economic practice, including regulations, subsidies and basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability and zero carbon targets
  • The significance of producing crops to specifications and how this can be achieved.
  • The most commonly used technology or automation options. For example, Robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking and why maintenance is needed.
  • The importance of reducing waste, waste legislation and how this can be implemented in the workplace.
  • Feed, nutritional and water requirements of livestock at different stages of production
  • The principles and importance of maintaining farm buildings, field boundaries and fences (electrified and non-electrified). This includes the legal and safety ramifications if maintenance is ineffective.
  • Different customer requirements for product quality.
  • The five welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment (cleanliness and manure management) b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. Its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease injury and disease including legal and appropriate, to livestock’s species and age, euthanasia.
  • How to identify the quantity and quality of grass for grazing and crops for forage production, for livestock at different stages of production.
  • Basics of reproductive system of male and female livestock. Methods of service to aid conception (for example, artificial insemination, natural conception), pregnancy, parturition and problems that could occur during the reproductive cycle.
  • How to prepare risk assessments including identifying risks and hazards on the farm, and where to get advice and guidance
  • The importance of biosecurity and how it is managed
  • How animal welfare requirements are met and signs of health and, or ill health in livestock (cattle: beef and dairy, pigs, sheep and goats). The zoonotic, non-zoonotic and notifiable diseases (for example, BSE) and their impact on human health
  • The responsibilities relating to movement of livestock, under health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulation and local policy.. This should include suitable methods of restraint and handling for stock of different ages.
  • How to prepare and operate agricultural vehicles and attachments in accordance with relevant legislation. For example, tractor, quad bike, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Forklift
  • Concepts of good environmental, social and economic practice, including regulations, subsidies and basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability and zero carbon targets
  • The significance of producing crops to specifications and how this can be achieved.
  • The most commonly used technology or automation options. For example, Robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking and why maintenance is needed.
  • The importance of reducing waste, waste legislation and how this can be implemented in the workplace.
  • Feed, nutritional and water requirements of livestock at different stages of production
  • The principles and importance of maintaining farm buildings, field boundaries and fences (electrified and non-electrified). This includes the legal and safety ramifications if maintenance is ineffective.
  • Different customer requirements for product quality.
  • The five welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment (cleanliness and manure management) b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. Its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease injury and disease including legal and appropriate, to livestock’s species and age, euthanasia.
  • How to identify the quantity and quality of grass for grazing and crops for forage production, for livestock at different stages of production.
  • The reasons for monitoring growth of crops including the impact of weather and, or ground conditions, pests, diseases, weeds
  • The process of taking soil samples to identify different soil types and their impact on crops, seed rate and method of establishment
  • Correct labelling of resources for transport, assessment of the most appropriate method of transport, safe and correct loading, securing, protection of the load during transportation within the parameters of the farm business
  • The basic principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop Management (ICM)
  • The manual and electronic records that need to be completed and the importance of doing them

Skills

  • Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
  • Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
  • Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
  • Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
  • Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
  • Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
  • Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
  • Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
  • Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
  • Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
  • Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
  • Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
  • Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
  • Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
  • Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
  • Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
  • Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
  • Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
  • Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
  • Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
  • Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
  • Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
  • Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
  • Assist with the preparation of the ground, including identification of soil condition through soil sampling and preparing crop for planting
  • Load, unload and complete paperwork for transportation of resources manually and using loading equipment, according to instruction
  • Monitor the growth and development of crops in line with customer specification, as instructed
  • Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)

Behaviours

  • Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock and crops under their care.
  • Have a team-based approach to work
  • Is customer focused
  • Proactively undertakes continuous professional development
  • Able to adapt to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments.
  • A clear and effective communicator
  • Able to give and receive information timely and accurately
  • Ability to use own initiative and know when to seek help
  • Work proactively with internal and external people to achieve positive outcomes
  • Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock and crops under their care.
  • Have a team-based approach to work
  • Is customer focused
  • Proactively undertakes continuous professional development
  • Able to adapt to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments.
  • A clear and effective communicator
  • Able to give and receive information timely and accurately
  • Ability to use own initiative and know when to seek help
  • Work proactively with internal and external people to achieve positive outcomes
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Qualification level
2
Equal to GCSE
Course duration
18 months
Maximum funding
£5,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Assistant herdsperson
  • General farm operative
  • Shepherd
  • Stockperson
  • Tractor driver

View more information about General farm worker (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.