Course overview
This one year course provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to gain employment in agriculture. Learners will develop a wide range of knowledge, practical skills and industry experience through their studies and work experience on a local farm.
The course includes crop and livestock husbandry, estate skills, farm machinery operation and maintenance. It is designed to develop practical competence and produce students who can operate machinery and care for livestock and crops to a high standard.
Assessment for this course is entirely assignment based, with no formal examinations. Learners demonstrate their skills and knowledge through practical and written coursework linked to industry practice.
Entry Requirements
• 4 GCSEs at grade 3/D or above, including English and maths
• We will consider progression from the successful completion of a Level 1 Diploma achieved at a Merit, in a relevant vocational subject and working towards Level 1 Functional Skills.
• Some farming experience before commencing the course is essential, along with the ability to cope with written work. A work placement of up to 227 hours must be completed during the year. Attitude to learning is also considered.
Course Structure
Course Description
• Machinery operation
• Estate maintenance
• English and maths
• Working in land-based industries
• Plant and soil science
• Work Placement
• Livestock husbandry
• Grass and forage crop production
Assessment is assignment based and includes written work.
Progression
Employment opportunities may include tractor driver, herdsperson or shepherd, general farm worker, agricultural technician, work with an agricultural contractor, harvest worker or assistant dairy person.