Dairy Engineers install, upkeep and repair a range of milking equipment used on dairy farms. They often work for dairy engineering businesses rather than for dairy farms and visit customers to either install or fix and faults that have occurred with milking equipment. They may have to travel over a wide area to fulfil the needs of their customer base.
Dairy Engineers will use a wide range of specialist tools, often including diagnostic equipment and laptop computers. There have been many technological advanced in efficient dairy equipment which is less stressful for the animals, and keeping up to date with state-of-the-art equipment is important.
You’ll need:
to be able to multitask, work under pressure and to deadlines
to diagnose faults quickly and efficiently
to explain problems simply and clearly
to understand verbal and written instructions and communicate clearly with other members of the dairy team
good knowledge of, and be able to follow, health and safety regulations
excellent mathematical and administrative skills
physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness
A driving licence is necessary, and you will be given a vehicle to visit customers, diagnosing issues and carry out repairs on-site.
Around 40 hours per week, with working hours dependant on the needs of the business. This will include bank holidays and weekends and may be part of a team following a rota.
Visiting farms to perform set-up and service of new and existing milking equipment
Inspecting, analysing, and troubleshooting dairy systems and equipment
Running diagnostic tests and interpreting results to make effective recommendations
Writing up reports, safety regulations, and preventative maintenance plans
Negotiating with suppliers and farmer clients, communicating the benefits of milking equipment relevant to their operations
Providing time and material cost estimates before starting a job
Repairing or replacing faulty equipment, sourcing replacement parts, and fabricating any components when required
Advising customers on the proper use, operation, and maintenance of dairy equipment
Keeping up to date of advancements in the field and attending training as required
Dairy Engineers work on site from mobile workshops vans. You will spend time travelling to and from customers’ premises and most of the work will take place inside in dairy parlours.
Repairing with dairy equipment can be hazardous, and you may need to wear protective clothing, high-visibility vests, hard hats, safety glasses and welding aprons.
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 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.
After completing your training and gaining experience in the role, you could move towards becoming self-employed. You could also move into training learners within a college or into sales or managerial positions. It is important to keep updating your skills so you can continue to work on new equipment.
The Milking Systems Technician Accreditation (MSTA) scheme has been developed by the Milking Equipment Association (MEA) and is unique to the dairy engineering industry, setting out a recognised career path for Dairy Engineers. There are four categories of registered Milking System Technicians encouraging development and providing a benchmark for the industry.
Dairy Engineer will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
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
A career in land-based engineering is a great way to combine technical ability with the latest developments in science and technology.
Fast-paced and diverse, jobs in land-based engineering create solutions for engineering problems in forestry, agriculture, horticulture and environmental management. Highly skilled engineers help use resources more effectively and sustainably by designing, developing, operating and maintaining the technology and tools of the future.
It’s a fast-growing industry, thanks to new technology and the rise of techniques like precision farming which allow agricultural land to be released while maintaining food production levels. This creates opportunities at all levels for people who can develop new solutions, as well as maintaining existing technology and equipment.
If you’re looking for a fast-moving career with lots of opportunities to progress and work in different environments, land-based engineering could be for you. As well as solving engineering problems and developing machinery solutions for agricultural, ground care, horticulture, forestry and sports turf businesses, engineers also advise farmers and businesses on agricultural concerns, such as sustainable land use and irrigation.
There are over 3,000 agricultural, turf care, dairy and forestry equipment dealerships in the UK
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has identified agricultural machinery as one of the dominant engineering sub sectors within Irish engineering, and that this industry has significant growth potential in the coming years
Land-based Engineers can work with technically advanced products such as GPS, drones, robotics autonomous vehicles and alternative fuel sources
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.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
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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.
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.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
Let’s get started!
Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.
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:
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.
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:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Find your apprenticeship
You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.
What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.
Explore apprenticeship stories
The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH)
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National Farmers Union (NFU)
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Ulster Farmers Union (UFU)
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National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland)
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Farmers' Union of Wales
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NFU Cymru
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National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC)
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Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU)
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Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)
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Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs (Wales YFC)
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Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA)
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British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA)
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Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE)
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We Are Land-based Engineering
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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:
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 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.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
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