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Agricultural contractor
Agricultural contractors provide services to farmers, like crop planting and spraying, harvesting and animal management.
Average salary (a year)
£0.0
Starter
£0.0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
44.0 to 50.0 hours
seasonal
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
College
You could take a course at an agricultural college, which may be useful when you start looking for work.
Courses include
land based studies and technology, agriculture, T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example
General Farm Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Land Based Service Engineer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Livestock Unit Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, Land Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You could apply directly to become an agricultural contractor. Employers will expect you to have experience of working on a farm and operating agricultural machinery.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could join the National Association of Agricultural Contractors for industry training and professional development.
Further Information
You can find out more about working and training in agriculture from Tasty Careers and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of food production methods
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to organise your time and workload
    Customer service skills
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    Persistence and determination
    The ability to motivate and manage staff
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other Requirements
Driving vehicles like lorries, tractors, harvesters and fork lift trucks can be part of your work. You can find out more about driving specialist vehicles from GOV.UK.
Related Restrictions
have a Certificate of Competence, if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As an agricultural contractor, you could
process, mill and plant seeds, spray and fertilise crops, harvest and bale crops, help with animal husbandry, like breeding calves and lambing, repair and maintain fences, hedges and dry stone walls, service agricultural machinery, carry out excavation or drainage work
Working environment
You could work on a farm.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could specialise in offering particular services, like crop management.
You could also work for private companies or co-operatives that offer management services to farms.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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