Summary
Assist with the daily care and management of farm animals, including feeding, health checks, and handling. Maintain equipment and ensure high standards of welfare, biosecurity, and safety. Develop practical skills and knowledge in modern, sustainable livestock farming.
Wage
£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
General farm worker (level 2)
Hours
Mon - Sun (7am - 5pm) on a rota basis.
30 hours a week
Start date
Tuesday 16 September 2025
Duration
1 year 9 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
* Support the operation of a 330-cow spring block calving herd
* Assisting with daily milking and general animal care
* Manage pastures and grazing areas
* Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and helping set targets and goals
Where you’ll work
Ayre Farming
Tiverton
EX16 9RE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
Your training course
General farm worker (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
* Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
* Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
* Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
* Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
* Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
* Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
* Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
* Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
* Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
* Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
* Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
* Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
* Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
* Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
* Assist with the preparation of the ground, including identification of soil condition through soil sampling and preparing crop for planting
* Load, unload and complete paperwork for transportation of resources manually and using loading equipment, according to instruction
* Monitor the growth and development of crops in line with customer specification, as instructed
* Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
* Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
* Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
* Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
* Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
* Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
* Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
* Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
* Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
Your training plan
The Apprentice will study the following modules:
* L2 General Farm Worker - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
* Edexcel L1 or L2 Functional Skills English - Yr 1 ( if required, exemptions apply)
* Edexcel L1 or L2 Functional Skills Mathematics - Yr 1 ( if required, exemptions apply)
* LANTRA L3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
* LANTRA L2 Award in the Safe Use and Application of Pesticides
There will be a day release at Bridgwater & Taunton College's Cannington campus, on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4 or C)
* Maths (grade 4 or C)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Team working
* Can-do attitude
* Interest in dairy industry
Other requirements
Activities are carried out both outside and inside in all weather conditions. Hours will vary depending on business needs, and flexibility is required. A one-day unpaid trial will be required after a successful interview.