Farm Technician Apprentice

Typical tasks/responsibilities

The farm technician will plan and schedule farm tasks and supervise key herd or crop operations such as milking, husbandry, grass management, and nutrition. The farm technician will oversee compliance with industry standards and regulatory measures relating to quality, bio-security, food assurance, health & safety, and environmental issues. They will take responsibility for designated herd and crop recording and administrative activities. They will assist in strategic farm planning and business performance evaluation.

Amongst other things, a farm technician apprentice will be able to:

• Carry out and supervise key farm operations.
• Plan and implement a production plan.
• Plan and schedule farm tasks and organise work.
• Operate in compliance with key industry standards and regulatory measures relating to sustainability, biosecurity, food assurance, animal welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental measures.
• Assist in farm planning and enterprise performance evaluation.
• Supervise key farm operations
• Operate to industry standard health and safety standards.

Knowledge 1. Understand agricultural production systemns. 2. Undertand the principles and practice of implementing safety, health, welfare, and environmental legislation. 3. Understand the principles of sustainability, food quality, food assurance, and biosecurity. 4. Understand farm metrics 5. Understand market specification requirements. 6. Understand financial transactions and take charge of farm administration. 7. Understand work-methodology to efficiently organise routine tasks.

Skills 1. Take charge of the day-to-day operation of farm enterprises. 2. Organise key farm operations such as the feeding, breeding, and welfare of livestock. 3. Apply the principles of sustainability, food quality, food assurance, and biosecurity. 4. Implement a production plan. 5. Plan and apply biosecurity measures. 6. Comply with regulatory requirements. 7. Operate farm machinery and equipment safely. 8. Oversee the maintenance of equipment and farm facilities. 9. Maintain records and use farm software.

10. Assist with financial records.

11. Identifty hazards and maintain a safe work environment.

12. Plan work and supervise operative staff. 13. Communicate effectively in a work situation. 14. Work efficiently and organise routine tasks. Competences 1. Work effectively, autonomously, and safely on a farm. 2. Comply with key industry standards and regulatory measures. 3. Comply with health, safety, and welfare requirements 4. Follow and implement a health and biosecurity plan. 5. Plan, prioritise, and schedule farm tasks and organise work. 6. Liaise with employer and interact with external third parties. Skills

1. Take charge of the day-to-day operation of farm enterprises. 2. Organise key farm operations such as the feeding, breeding, and welfare of livestock. 3. Apply the principles of sustainability, food quality, food assurance, and biosecurity. 4. Implement a production plan. 5. Plan and apply biosecurity measures. 6. Comply with regulatory requirements. 7. Operate farm machinery and equipment safely. 8. Oversee the maintenance of equipment and farm facilities. 9. Maintain records and use farm software. 10. Assist with financial records. 11. Identifty hazards and maintain a safe work environment. 12. Plan work and supervise operative staff. 13. Communicate effectively in a work situation. 14. Work efficiently and organise routine tasks. 7. Take responsibility for enterprise recording and farm administration activities. 8. Understand, interpret, and analyse reports, data, budgets, and farm plans. 9. Work independently and as part of a team. 10. Solve problems. 11. Be self-motivated. 12. Be responsible for his/her professional development and self-learning. Proposed minimum entry requirements for apprentices on the programme All apprentices must be employed full time by an ‘approved employer’ in an agricultural setting. Option 1: • Have achieved a pass in the Leaving Certificate Established (NFQ Level 5)* or Vocational Programme (NFQ Level 5)*, obtaining a minimum grade O6/H7 in Maths** or a F2 in Foundation Maths, and O6/H7 in four other subjects. • A Major QQI level 5 (or higher) Award*. OR - Option 3 • Level 6 Specific Purpose in Farming programmes* OR-Option 4 • Αnyone working in the agricultural sector, 18 years old or older with have two full-time years of work experience in a land-based sector (such as farming, agricultural contracting, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture or the equine sector) deemed acceptable by employer and consortium and subject to the validation of supporting evidence and/or assessment process.

* A qualification deemed equivalent on the Irish National Framework of

Qualifications to any of the qualifications listed above. **Note – Where there is a mathematics requirement at Leaving Certificate Established or Vocational Programme, obtaining a minimum grade O6/H7 in Maths or a F2 in Foundation Maths, mature and international applicants may be required to demonstrate that they possess the required competency through the completion of a maths assessment.

Note - The programme is through the medium of English and it is highly desirable that the applicant will meet CEF Level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Language). Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The certificate of the English language standard must have been issued within 2 years of the expected start of your course.