Farm Workers carry out practical work on mixed, arable and livestock farms. Work varies seasonally and by the type of farm, but usually involves looking after livestock, planting and harvesting crops, using agricultural machinery and maintaining farm equipment and buildings.
Farm work can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling, particularly if you like to be connected with nature.
Also known as: Field Worker, Farm Labourer, General Farm Worker, Harvest Worker, Agricultural Worker
physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination
patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
to be flexible and open to change
to accurately calculate weights and measurements and keep accurate records
to use a computer or hand-held device for some tasks
You might need to take short courses to learn how to operate equipment such as tractors or forklifts.
You’ll need to have achieved qualifications and certificates of competence to apply pesticides safely - these will include a mandatory Safe Use of Pesticides qualification, followed by the method of application being used e.g. hand held equipment, etc.
Salary
NB These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and the skills and experience of the employee.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, Agricultural Wages Boards set the minimum wage. In England and the Republic of Ireland, agricultural workers must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, and in Wales must be paid at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage, or the National Minimum Wage if that’s higher.
Some farm workers get free or low-rent accommodation, or access to a farm vehicle.
£14,000
Typical salaries range from
£18,000
Typical Hours
Around 48 hours a week, which may include evening/weekend work and irregular hours depending on the season and weather. For example, you’ll work longer hours when harvesting crops in summer.
Day to Day
On arable and production horticulture farms you’ll sow, plant, weed, plough and harvest crops like cereals, vegetables and fruit.
On farms that use combine harvesters to harvest wheat, barley and oats, you may use tractors and mechanical equipment with on-board computers, which help plough to a set depth, accurately drill seed and efficiently harvest a field.
You’ll store and pack crops before sending them to be processed.
Livestock Farm Workers will look after animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry, which involves preparing feed, milking cows, shearing sheep, preparing animals for transport, checking for signs of illness and keeping accurate records.
On all farms, you'll carry out general tasks like maintaining farm buildings, servicing and repairing vehicles and machinery, trimming hedges, clearing ditches and mending fences and walls.
Working Environment
Most tasks involve working outdoors in all weather conditions. Some tasks require protective clothing (PPE).
Training Available
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
Farm Worker opportunities and careers paths
More qualifications and experience equal better career prospects. You may need to move between farms to gain experience. As you progress you could be promoted to farm management, or you could become an agricultural contractor, supplying services to farms, servicing machinery or working in agricultural equipment and supplies.
Industries
Farm Worker will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
Agriculture
Diverse, dynamic and rewarding – if you’re practical and love the outdoors, then a career in agriculture could be for you.
Agriculture is diverse, dynamic and rewarding, with a huge range of interesting and varied career options. If you’re practical, hardworking, love the outdoors or have a passion for science and technology then working in agriculture could be for you.
The UK and Ireland's farmers and crofters play a huge part in looking after our natural landscape. While producing food, they can improve biodiversity, plant trees, restore peat, improve water and soil quality, and generate renewable energy. From the latest trends in data science to new methods of animal husbandry, land management and ecology, working in agriculture is a direct way to address the climate emergency, as well as supporting rural life.
If you’re interested in technology, you could work on a farm using the latest equipment and science to produce food sustainably, safely and efficiently. Or if you want to radically change how we produce food and use our land working vertical farming or remote sensing could be for you. More than ever, agriculture needs innovative, enthusiastic people to help make the food we produce both taste good and make good sense for the planet.
Utilised agricultural land use stands over 70% of the total area of the United Kingdom and over 82% of the Republic of Ireland
Total income from farming in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been £4.1 billion in 2020
Economists at Teagasc estimate that in 2021, the average family farm income in the Republic of Ireland increased by 20% from the previous year
Principal destinations for UK food, feed and drink exports include the Republic of Ireland, France, the USA, and the Netherlands
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also
great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
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About Apprenticeships
Work, earn and learn
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction,
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career.
Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn,
there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an
apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Apprenticeships in England
During an apprenticeship, you’ll be assessed regularly to make sure you’re gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need. At the end of the apprenticeship, an End Point Assessment (EPA) will check you’re fully competent. EPAs are carried out by an independent organisation and will include a practical skills demonstration and discussion.
An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career.
Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else.
But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training.
Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
someone who is just starting their career
someone who already has a job and wants to move forward in their company
someone who already has a job and wants to retrain to make a career change.
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages -
there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Benefits of an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to
gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
workplace experience and skills development
a nationally recognised qualification
employee benefits and a wage
no student loans or tuition fees
contact with industry professionals.
Vacancies
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Not quite sure if an apprenticeship is right for you? If you’re not ready for an apprenticeship, T Levels and Traineeships can be a great alternative.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are an alternative to A Levels – a two-year course for 16-18 year olds. Created alongside employers, they combine classroom learning with an industry placement and are a great way to prepare for work, further training or study. If you’re not quite ready for a T Level, the T Level Transition Programme is a 1-year post-GCSE course designed to prepare you for your chosen route. T Levels are available in Agriculture, Land Management and Production from September 2023, and in Animal Care and Management from September 2024.
Traineeships are a great option if you’re between 16 and 24 and don’t yet have the skills or experience to take on a job or apprenticeship. In a Traineeship, you complete an unpaid work placement alongside a training course to develop your skills. Traineeships last from six weeks to a year, though most last around six months.
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) Find out more
Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs (Wales YFC) Find out more
Funding Options
Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training -
different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're
interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider
for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect
you to support available:
Further Education
16 – 19:
You won't have to pay any course fees if you're staying on in education or training at a school, college, or with a training provider, and you're under the age of 19 – please contact the training provider for more information.
Advanced Learner Loans are available to help with the cost of a course at college or training provider in England if you are over 19 and studying a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification – more information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
If you are aged 19 or over you could access a course for free to help you gain the skills you need to get the job you want – this includes some land-based Level 3 qualifications, with the government paying the course fees. To find out more including eligibility criteria, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/free-courses-for-jobs
Higher Education:
Information on loans and grants available to undergraduate and postgraduate students can be found via Student Finance England https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk
Skills Hub Scotland
Skills Hub Scotland
is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills.
Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech
5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations,
Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource.
If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider,
list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner,
use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals
– this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as
protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships,
further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning
is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing
a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences.
They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers.
To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website:
https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes -
Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support
materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures
helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them.
Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM,
the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Not sure what you want to do?
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
If we can support you with any specific information, please click the button below to get in touch.
