Apprentice Crop Technician
Boddington's Berries
ST AUSTELL (PL26 6RQ)
Closes on Saturday 31 May 2025
Posted on 7 March 2025
Contents
Summary
Boddington's Berries are offering an exciting opportunity to join their team as an Apprentice Crop Technician. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills and develop new knowledge.
- Wage
-
£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Wage will be reviewed after 3 months.
- Training course
- Crop technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Shift times to vary throughout the seasons. During the summer months and harvest, shifts may start at 6.00am, with an early finish; but outside of this would be 8.00/9.00am by negotiation. Also during harvest, there may be a requirement to work some weekends.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 15 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
The role will involve general husbandry tasks in the production of fresh strawberries, such as:
- Planting
- Trimming
- Laying out grow bags
- Harvesting
- Plant removal
- Grow bag removal
- Polytunnel construction
- Machinery and building maintenance
- Estate maintenance such as strimming, mowing and pruning
During quiet times on the strawberry farm, help with the jam business may be required.
There may be the opportunity to assist with consumer shows selling fruit, e.g. Royal Cornwall Show.
Where you’ll work
THE ASHES
TREGONEY HILL
MEVAGISSEY
ST AUSTELL
PL26 6RQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
CORNWALL COLLEGE
Your training course
Crop technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
Your training plan
- You will be working towards a Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship standard.
- You will be required to attend Duchy College Rosewarne on a weekly basis as part of the apprenticeship training.
- You will receive on and off the job training and support from an assessor and your employer.
More training information
Mandatory qualifications included as part of the apprenticeship are:
- Emergency First Aid
- Level 2 Award in the Safe use of Pesticides
One of the following will be offered as an additional course:
- Boom sprayer PA2
- Granular applicator PA4
- Handheld applicator PA6
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Initiative
Other requirements
We are a rural site half a mile up a steep hill from Mevagissey, but with no passing public transport - so you must consider how you will get to site. We have staff facilities for breaks, but you must bring your own lunch.
About this company
Boddington's Berries are a 4th generation Strawberry Grower, supplying the fresh fruit market and our jam business. Fruit is handpicked into open card punnets, delivered fresh locally the same day as harvested.
After this apprenticeship
- Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be the opportunity for permanent employment as a Crop Worker.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CORNWALL COLLEGE
Apprenticeship Team
0330 123 4785
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000308216.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 31 May 2025
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