General Farm Worker Apprentice - Level 2 - Ayre Farming

MR JAMES ROBERT AYRE NATASHA ASHTON

Tiverton (EX16 9RE)

Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

Posted on 17 April 2025


Summary

If you have a ‘Can do’ attitude, mix in well with a team and want a career in the dairy industry this may be the job for you.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course
General farm worker (level 2)
Hours
Mon - Sun (7am - 5pm) on a rota basis.

40 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 May 2025

Duration

1 year

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

Ayre Farming requires an Assistant Herdsperson, to join their share milking team, in Mid Devon UK. 

They run a 330 cow, spring block calving herd and followers, utilising grass as much as possible in their diet. 

Duties would include:

  • Assisting herds person with day-to-day milking and care of the animals.  
    Pasture management. 
    Monitoring KPI’s (key performance indicators), setting targets and goals. 
    What they can offer:  
  • They are committed to the growth and development of people who want to excel in the profession, offering opportunities for progression through training, discussion groups and promotion within our business. 
  • Competitive initial salary with the opportunity to further improve for the right candidate.  
  • Quality Single Person accommodation available, if required (over 18's only).

Where you’ll work

Stanterton Farm
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

SKERN LODGE LIMITED

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

You will be supported by an assessor throughout your apprenticeship. 

As you progress through your apprenticeship your duties and responsibilities will alter as you develop the skills for a successful career in agriculture. 

Training will be a mix of face to face and online learning. 

You will gain a General Farm Worker Level 2 qualification with further opportunities for training, development and permanent employment upon completion. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • 4 (grade 9)

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

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Activities are carried outside and inside in all weathers. Hours will vary depending on business needs and you will be on a Monday -Sunday (7am - 5pm) rota, so you will need to be flexible. Please ensure you research the location and transport access prior to applying. Will require a 1 day trial (unpaid) after successful interview.

About this company

Ayre Farming are a cattle farm based in Mid Devon.

After this apprenticeship

You will gain a General Farm Worker Level 2 qualification with further opportunities for training, development and permanent employment upon completion.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SKERN LODGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314006.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.