The content of these Pathways have been agreed by Lantra. These are the only apprenticeship Pathways in the Agriculture & Environment sector approved for use in Wales that are eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Agriculture is 49 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Agriculture is 69 credits
Entry requirements
Level 2: Agriculture
There are no specific entry requirements for the Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship in Agriculture, however, there are qualifications and experience that will help learners
Understand the sector prior to starting:
- Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Agriculture
- Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Operations
- Level 1 Certificate in Practical Agriculture
- Have previously worked in or are currently working within the Agricultural industry.
- Voluntary work within the Agricultural industry
- GCSEs
Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Foundation Apprenticeship, this will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where appropriate. Progression opportunities onto the Agriculture Foundation Apprenticeship also exist for adult learners who have experience within the Agriculture industry or who are looking for a career change.
Level 3: Agriculture
The Agriculture industry want the entry requirements for the Apprenticeship to be flexible, so therefore has suggested that one of the following should be completed:
- Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Work-based Agriculture
- Level 2 Award, Certificate or Diploma in Agriculture
- Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Activities
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Agriculture
- Level 2 Work-based Diploma in Agriculture Crops/Livestock
- Pathway to Apprenticeships
- Practical experience within the Agricultural industry
- Voluntary work within the Agricultural industry
- 3 GCSEs (A*-C) - plus relevant practical experience within the Agricultural industry
- AS/A levels - plus relevant practical experience within the Agricultural industry
Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Apprenticeship, this will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where appropriate.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Agriculture
Level 2: Agriculture Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Agriculture | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0621/9 601/2653/X | 37 | 370 | Combined | English only |
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Agriculture | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2: Agriculture | 1292 | 323 |
37 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 Work-based Agriculture (QCF)
As the duration of the Foundation Apprenticeship is flexible the total amount of learning hours, which includes both on and off the job training, will also vary. This will be between 1615 hours for 12 months and 3230 hours for 24 months.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Level 3: Agriculture
Level 3: Agriculture Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Agriculture | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0109/7 500/6224/4 | 57 | 570 | Combined | English Only |
Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Agriculture | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Agriculture | 1292 | 323 |
57 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 Work-based Agriculture (QCF)
As the duration of the Apprenticeship is flexible the total amount of learning hours, which includes both on and off the job training, will also vary. This will be between 1615 hours for 12 months and 3230 hours for 24 months.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
Other additional requirements
Level 2: Agriculture
For the Foundation Apprenticeship the Agriculture industry has requested the completion of four of the following Additional Employment Requirements, two Mandatory and two Optional.
These additional employment requirements will enhance the Apprenticeship and facilitate employment within the industry. Additional Employment Requirements are not required for certification and may not be funded.
Mandatory:
• Emergency First Aid (one-day course meeting the requirements outlined by Health and Safety Executive HSE)
• Mental Health First Aid (Awareness/Introduction of Mental Health)
Two other accredited, legislative or nationally recognised occupational tests relevant to the industry (suggested list below):
- Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1)
- Basic Food Hygiene (FSA Approved)
- Cylinder and Rotary Operated Pedestrian Mowers
- Safe Use of Pedestrian Controlled Two-Wheeled Tractors
- Chainsaw and Related Operations
- Safe Use of Hedge Trimmers
- Safe Manual Handling
- Forklift Truck Operations
- Tractor Driving and Related Operations
- Driving a Vehicle with a Trailer
- Safe Use of Powered Cultivators
- Stump Grinding Operations
- Safe Use of Turf Maintenance Equipment
- Ride-on Mowers
- All-Terrain Vehicle / Quad Bike Handling
- Wood chipping/Chipper Shredding
- CAT Training
- Materials Handler Certificate
- Brushwood Chipper Operations
- Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines
- Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Certificate
- Safe Use of Angle Grinders
- Telescopic Handler
- Artificial Insemination
- Foot Trimming
- Shearing
- Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
- Safe Use of Sheep Dips
- British Poultry Training (Scheme of the Lion code Training Passport)
- Poultry Welfare (BPT Approved)
- Farm Hygiene and Biosecurity (BPT Approved / Lion Code Approved)
- Manual Handling (BPT Approved)
- Biosecurity, Security & Egg Handling (Lion Code Approved)
- Food Safety (Lion Code Approved)
- Poultry Health & Welfare Operative (Lion Code Approved)
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Level 3: Agriculture
For the Apprenticeship the Agriculture industry has requested the completion of four of the following Additional Employment Requirements, two Mandatory and two Optional. These additional employment requirements will enhance the Apprenticeship and facilitate employment within the industry. Additional Employment Requirements are not required for certification and may not be funded.
Note: If an apprentice has previously achieved the Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship, it is recommended that they take different courses.
Mandatory:
• Emergency First Aid (one-day course meeting the requirements outlined by Health and Safety Executive HSE)
• Mental Health First Aid (Awareness/Introduction of Mental Health)
Two other accredited, legislative or nationally recognised occupational tests relevant to the industry (suggested list below):
- Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1)
- Basic Food Hygiene (FSA Approved)
- Cylinder and Rotary Operated Pedestrian Mowers
- Safe Use of Pedestrian Controlled Two-Wheeled Tractors
- Chainsaw and Related Operations
- Safe Use of Hedge Trimmers
- Safe Manual Handling
- Forklift Truck Operations
- Tractor Driving and Related Operations
- Driving a Vehicle with a Trailer
- Safe Use of Powered Cultivators
- Stump Grinding Operations
- Safe Use of Turf Maintenance Equipment
- Ride-on Mowers
- All-Terrain Vehicle / Quad Bike Handling
- Wood chipping/Chipper Shredding
- CAT Training
- Materials Handler Certificate
- Brushwood Chipper Operations
- Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines
- Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Certificate
- Safe Use of Angle Grinders
- Telescopic Handler
- Artificial Insemination
- Foot Trimming
- Shearing
- Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
- Safe Use of Sheep Dips
- British Poultry Training (Scheme of the Lion code Training Passport)
- Poultry Welfare (BPT Approved)
- Farm Hygiene and Biosecurity (BPT Approved / Lion Code Approved)
- Manual Handling (BPT Approved)
- Environmental Awareness (BPT Approved)
- Biosecurity, security & egg handling (Lion Code Approved)
- Food Safety (Lion Code Approved)
- Poultry Health & Welfare Management (Lion Code Approved)
- Rodenticide Handling/Usage (CRRU Approved)
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Job roles
The types of jobs available include:
Foundation Apprenticeship: Farm Worker (Livestock, Crop or Mixed Farm), Agricultural Machinery Operator, Livestock/Herds person, Pig Unit Worker, Poultry Worker
Apprenticeship: Farm Worker, Agricultural Machinery Operator, Livestock/Herds Person, Livestock Technician, Pig Unit Worker, Pig Technician, Poultry Worker
Progression
Level 2: Agriculture
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Agriculture is valued by the industry as an entry route into the sector.
Progression opportunities onto the Agriculture Foundation Apprenticeship exist for adult learners who have experience within the Agriculture industry or who are looking for a career change.
Progression from the Foundation Apprenticeship in Agriculture Apprentices successfully completing the Foundation Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by progressing onto the Apprenticeship in Agriculture or to Further Education
Typical jobs learners completing the Foundation Apprenticeship will be able to progress to are listed in the section on job opportunities e.g. Farm Worker/Arable Farm Worker, Agricultural Machinery Operator, Livestock/Herds Person, Pig Unit Worker, Poultry Worker.
There would also be the opportunity to progress into other related careers, such as within the veterinary industry
Level 3: Agriculture
The Agriculture industry values the Apprenticeship as an entry/progression route into the industry. From the Foundation Apprenticeship there is direct progression onto the Apprenticeship, or learners may progress straight onto the Apprenticeship from another programme.
Apprentices successfully completing the Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by progressing to Higher Education courses such as a HNC/D. Examples of courses available across Wales and the UK include:
- Agriculture
- Agriculture and Countryside Conservation
- Agriculture with Animal Science
- Agriculture with Business Studies
- Crop Agronomist
Apprentices looking to progress within their employment from the Apprenticeship may be able to work towards managerial positions such as Assistant Farm Manager or Unit Manager.
Progression will be dependent on the qualifications and experience an individual possesses, as achievement alone of the Level 3 Apprenticeship does not guarantee entry to these opportunities.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship frameworks are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Frameworks should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
The Agriculture industry (UK) employees are mainly male (77%), which is significantly higher than the sector average of 68% (UK) male employees and Wales average at 71%. Whilst the industry doesn’t preclude females from working in the sector, it is suggested that the imbalance is due to an out-dated perception of Agriculture employment as traditionally a male dominated industry despite many roles in Agriculture being carried out by females. It is interesting to note that Further Education enrolments onto Agriculture related learning programmes are also mainly male at an average of 69% compared with work-based learning enrolments 99%.
There are wide range of hands-on roles for people of all ages and abilities together with an increasing need for skilled managerial, high-tech and specialist people. Lantra’s research predicts that 26,000 people in Wales will be needed over the next decade across the land-based sector.
Agriculture is not always seen as a career of choice because of the perceptions that there are limited progression opportunities. Equally, misconceptions that all jobs involve working outdoors in all weathers with long and unsociable hours and that much of the employment is in family business handed down through the generations magnify recruitment barriers in the wider competitive labour market.
However, these are identified as trends which are specific to the nature of the Agriculture sector and there are no actual barriers to recruitment into the industry. There may be some physical restrictions in parts of the Agriculture industry especially whilst working with heavy equipment and machines or with large livestock. This should not rule anyone out as there may be opportunities elsewhere in the industry.
Resolutions and further work
The units within the Diploma in Work-based Agriculture have been written in collaboration with partner awarding organisations to ensure that they are free from bias, accessible to all apprentices and are applicable to a wide range of roles and businesses within Agriculture. Because of the diverse nature of the Agriculture sector the Diploma in Work-based Agriculture has been developed from these units to allow maximum flexibility and choice within the rules of combination.
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider / Employer to ensure that the requirements of this Pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government
Annex 1 Level 2: Agriculture
A Foundation Apprenticeship framework must identify:
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
There is one qualification, Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Agriculture, which includes both competence and knowledge.
The competence and knowledge elements will be achieved through completion of the mandatory and optional units listed within the awarding organisation's (C&G) guidance and will total a minimum of 37 credits, 10 of which will form the knowledge element and be assessed via independent methods.
The competence units will be separately assessed to the knowledge units listed below.
The choice of knowledge units will depend on the role and workplace the apprentice is working in and will need to be agreed with the apprentice, employer and providers at the start of the programme.
Knowledge units (minimum of 10 credits must be achieved)
- Monitoring and maintaining health and safety (2 credits knowledge)
- Maintain and develop personal performance (1 credit knowledge)
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others (1 credit knowledge)
- Maintain the healthy growth of crops (4 credits knowledge)
- Establish and maintain conditions appropriate to the welfare of animals (2 credits knowledge)
- Maintain site biosecurity and personal hygiene (1 credit knowledge)
- Prepare feed and water supplies for livestock (1 credit knowledge)
- Monitor and maintain the supply of feed and water to livestock (1 credit knowledge)
- Prepare and monitor a mechanically controlled livestock production environment (2 credits
- knowledge)
- Load and unload physical resources within the work area (1 credit knowledge)
- Transport physical resources within the work area (1 credit knowledge)
- Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments (3 credits knowledge)
- Maintain equipment and machines (2 credits knowledge).
Annex 2 Level 3: Agriculture
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
There is one qualification, Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Agriculture, which includes both competence and knowledge.
The competence and knowledge elements will be achieved through completion of the mandatory and optional units listed within the awarding organisation's (C&G) guidance and will total a minimum of 57 credits, 10 of which will form the knowledge element and be assessed via independent methods.
The competence units will be separately assessed to the knowledge units listed below.
The choice of knowledge units will depend on the role and workplace the apprentice is working in and will need to be agreed with the apprentice, employer and providers at the start of the programme.
Knowledge units (a minimum of 10 credits must be achieved)
- Promote, monitor, and maintain health and safety and security (3 credits knowledge)
- Communicate information within the workplace (1 credit knowledge)
- Maintain and store records within the workplace (1 credit knowledge)
- Prepare, monitor and cultivate sites for planting crops (3 credits knowledge)
- Identify, monitor and maintain the healthy growth of crops (5 credits knowledge)
- Establish, monitor and maintain appropriate conditions for livestock (3 credits knowledge)
- Deliver basic treatments to livestock (2 credits knowledge)
- Establish, monitor and maintain site hygiene and biosecurity (2 credits knowledge)
- Deliver routine husbandry procedures (2 credits knowledge)
- Maintain, monitor and evaluate the provision of feed and water to livestock (3 credits knowledge)
- Plan the preparation and use of tractors and attachments (3 credits knowledge).