General Farm Worker Apprenticeship
General Farm Workers play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operation of modern farming businesses. They work across a range of agricultural enterprises, helping to maintain high standards of animal welfare, crop production, health and safety, and environmental sustainability.
Throughout the programme, learners develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to support farm operations, including caring for livestock or crops, operating farm machinery and vehicles, monitoring animal or plant health, and maintaining farm facilities and equipment. Apprentices will also learn the importance of biosecurity, environmental management and safe working practices within the agricultural industry.
Depending on their role, apprentices will specialise in either Livestock or Crop Production, while gaining a broad understanding of farming operations and sustainable land management. They will work closely with supervisors, farm teams and external professionals such as veterinarians, agronomists and agricultural contractors.
The role involves a combination of practical outdoor work, machinery operation, record keeping and routine maintenance activities. General Farm Workers are responsible for completing tasks to business standards, supporting productivity, minimising waste and contributing to the overall success of the farm.
On completion, learners will be equipped with the skills and experience needed to work confidently within the agricultural sector and progress into a range of farming and land-based careers.
As part of the Apprenticeship, you will have monthly workplace visits from a Learning Development Advisor, with 6 hours per week off the job training which will be tracked. You will build a portfolio showing your work-based evidence.
What you will study
- Health, safety and risk management on farms
- Biosecurity and disease prevention
- Animal health, welfare and livestock management
- Crop production and field operations
- Soil management and forage production
- Livestock nutrition and breeding
- Agricultural machinery and vehicle operation
- Farm technology and automation
- Sustainable agriculture and environmental management
- Waste reduction and recycling
- Farm maintenance and infrastructure
- Record keeping and industry regulations
- Product quality and customer requirements
- Animal welfare legislation and best practice
- Health, safety and risk management
- Biosecurity and farm hygiene
- Livestock handling and animal welfare
- Farm vehicle and machinery operation
- Crop monitoring and production
- Soil management and land preparation
- Livestock feeding, nutrition and breeding support
- Harvesting and post-harvest operations
- Farm maintenance and infrastructure repairs
- Environmental sustainability and waste management
- Record keeping and farm administration
- Product quality and farm business operations
- 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
- Emergency First Aid at Work – 1 day
- Safe Use of Pesticides – 1 day
What's Next?
Further Study
- Livestock Unit Technician Apprenticeship
Careers
- General Farm Worker
- Head Stock Person/Herdsman
- Farm Manager
- Self Employed
- Farm Contractor
