Start Date
- September 2024, Apprenticeship
Summary
With over 150,000 businesses, the Agriculture & Horticulture industries offer exciting and varied careers. They provide unique opportunities for people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment. Work in soil-based systems involves operating large, technically advanced machinery in open fields. Working outdoors means there is variety and challenges to overcome. Similarly, employees working in container-based systems may work outside but for many, most of the work will be in controlled environments which need monitoring and adapting to suit the growth stage/ species growing.
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 environment. You will also need to keep up to date with technological advances and new innovations. As a Crop Technician you must be able to work independently and in a team to complete tasks safely and efficiently. Many companies now use automation for many routine tasks, which also requires technical skills.
This standard supports apprentices in gaining knowledge, skills and behaviours, and follows a ‘core and options’ approach, meaning an apprentice will qualify as a competent Crop Technician. There are two course pathways: Soil- Based System, or Container- Based System. The pathway will be chosen depending on the nature of the organisation.
This apprenticeship is delivered from our Easton Campus and the typical duration is 30 months. The next intake will be in September 2024.
If you already have an employer for your apprenticeship or would like more information on how to find an apprenticeship, please click Apply Now.
If you are an employer who is looking to recruit an apprentice or you already have someone you would like to enrol onto the apprenticeship course, please contact our Apprenticeships Team on 01603 773365 or Apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk to discuss the next steps.
Why Our College?
Real working environment
Learn on our operational commercial farm covering over 200 hectares.
£9bn industry
with over 476,000 workers on farms in the UK.
Show your skills
Exhibit your work at regional agricultural shows.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE Grade 4/C in Maths and English (Language or Literature) or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English
In order to enrol onto an apprenticeship, you need to be employed in a relevant job role and undertake a range of tasks which would enable you to complete the qualification.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be awarded with a Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship Standard, which includes:
- If not previously achieved, Level 2 in English and Maths
- First Aid
- PA1 (Safe Use of Pesticides)
- PA2 (Ground Crop Sprayer Hydraulic Nozzle)
Assessment
The apprentice will be ready for End Point Assessment which includes:
- 100- minute multiple choice knowledge test
- A practical assessment lasting 1 day, including 3 tasks
- 1- hour professional discussion with an independent assessor
Progression
Successful completion of this course should support a learner’s progression which may include:
- Progression to Level 4 Agriculture Apprenticeship or Agricultural Management BSc (Hons)
Career Progression
Upon completing this course, apprentices might wish to explore further continuation, development or promotion at work or within this sector.
Fees
Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
For employers with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-21 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 22+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £750.
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £750.
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would be £15,000.
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices must not be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or Apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk.
