Livestock Unit Technician Apprenticeship
Livestock Unit Technicians play a vital role in the day-to-day management of livestock enterprises, helping to ensure high standards of animal health, welfare, productivity and farm performance. They typically specialise in one livestock species and are responsible for supporting animals throughout their lifecycle, from breeding and birth through to sale or transfer.
Throughout the programme, learners develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage livestock health, nutrition, welfare and housing while maintaining high standards of biosecurity, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. They learn how to monitor performance, maintain accurate records, operate farm machinery and contribute to achieving key business targets.
The role involves making informed decisions about livestock management, including feeding, breeding, health planning and husbandry practices. Apprentices work closely with farm managers, colleagues, veterinarians, nutritionists and other agricultural professionals to support the successful operation of the farm.
Livestock Unit Technicians are responsible for ensuring that industry standards, assurance schemes and legal requirements are met while promoting animal welfare and farm productivity. They may also supervise junior staff and contribute to wider business planning and decision-making.
On completion, learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to work confidently within the livestock sector, supporting efficient, sustainable and welfare-focused livestock production systems.
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.
Entry Requirements
- Ideally 3 GCSEs grade 9-3 including English & maths
Apprentices without English or maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to taking the end-point assessment - General Farm Worker Apprenticeship Level 2 or equivalent
- Employment in the industry with experience
What you will study
- Health, safety and biosecurity
- Animal health, welfare and nutrition
- Livestock breeding and production cycles
- Disease prevention and livestock management
- Grassland, forage and feed management
- Farm technology and livestock monitoring systems
- Farm vehicles and machinery operation
- Livestock housing and accommodation
- Record keeping and performance monitoring
- Livestock handling, movement and transport
- Preparing livestock for sale and market
- Industry legislation and assurance standards
- Sustainable livestock farming
- Working with agricultural professionals and stakeholders
- Health, safety and biosecurity management
- Livestock health, welfare and husbandry
- Feeding, nutrition and forage management
- Breeding and reproductive management
- Farm record-keeping and performance monitoring
- Livestock technology and digital systems
- Farm vehicle and machinery operation
- Livestock housing and manure management
- Planning and coordinating livestock movements
- Preparing livestock for sale and transfer
- Working with vets, advisors and industry stakeholders
- Sustainable livestock production
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Monitoring farm performance and business targets
- Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock, self and others under their care
- Have a team-based work ethic
- 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/receive information accurately, timely and in a positive manner
- 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
- Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
What's Next?
Careers
- Head Shepard
- Head Stockperson
- Herd Manager
- Unit Manger
- Flock Manager
