Crop Technician (Arable Farming)

As a Arable Farming Crop Technician, you will be responsible for optimising crop yields through establishment, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations, while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.

You will also need to keep up to date with technological advances and innovations. A Crop Technician requires self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently.

This apprenticeship covers the core requirements of a crop technician with the specialist ‘soil-based system’ pathway

What apprentices will learn

• Prepare seed bed/growing medium for maximum growth potential
• How to carry relevant establishment of crops for efficient growth
• Competently operate (to the equivalent of a certified level) a relevant vehicle used in the business
• How to correctly set machinery and monitoring machine performance for good seed establishment and crop growth
• How to correctly set machinery to match crop and soil condition and quality requirements during harvest
• The impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage.
• Control of pests, weeds and diseases including safe use, application and storage of chemicals
• How to carry out plant nutrient application and/or irrigation tasks if applicable to aid growth of crop
• How carry out harvesting operations including assessment of timing and quality
• How to appropriate harvesting techniques to match crop condition and quality requirements
• How to store crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality
• Soil/substrate maintenance tasks to ensure efficient and healthy growth of the crop/plant
• Soil/substrate sampling and acting upon results as appropriate to ensure nutrition is correct
• Health and safety legislation and codes of practice in relation to the job role/workplace including contingency/emergency plans
• Environmental issues/legislation, codes of practice and company policies
• Importance of maintaining systems for record keeping and storage used within the organisation
• Maintenance/efficient use of machinery and equipment
• Preparation methods, timing of activities and aftercare requirements for the crops grown on-site
• Crop identification and establishment process including principles and methods
• Principles of plant growth and development and plant health
• Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on business profitability
• Identification of key pests weeds and diseases and awareness of control mechanisms including potential impact on environment
• Relationship between environmental conditions (including weather), plant protection methods and crop growth
• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link: Crop Technician Arable Level 3

Qualifications Awarded

• Apprenticeship Certificate
• Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
• Level 2 in maths and English (if applicable)
• Level 2 award in the safe use of pesticides, and one of:
  • Boom sprayer mounted, trailed, or self-propelled equipment
  • Granular applicator equipment
  • Handheld applicator equipment

Delivery model

A mix of online knowledge delivery and weekly practical learning at Plumpton College (term time only/ about 30 days yearly) will include skills and knowledge assessment and undertaking practical learning period qualifications. Quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation and assessments.

The entry requirements for all Level 3 programmes, will require either: 

• GCSE 3 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• GCSE D or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• Level1 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification|) at this level or Level 2

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support of the application on an individual basis.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.

To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.

If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on  01273 892127 or via email.