Job Description

This job is part of our sustainability series:  > See more sustainable job ideas > Find out more about sustainable careers

Farm workers carry out manual work and operate machinery on arable farms and farms that have livestock, this work will vary from season to season and involves planting, tending and harvesting a range of crops as well as feeding and looking after animals.  

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college to prepare for work in this industry. Courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Practical Farm Animal Care Skills
• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Agriculture
• Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

The following local colleges offer courses in Agriculture:

• Easton College
• Suffolk Rural (Suffolk New College)

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship in agriculture.

You can also do a packhouse line leader advanced apprenticeship, if you're working on a farming food production line, for example picking and packing fruit and vegetables to order.

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

Direct application

You do not need any particular qualifications to apply directly to become a farm worker but it helps to have an interest in farming and working outdoors. Experience of working on a farm, for example from a weekend or holiday job, dairy work or crop picking would be useful.

Career tips

It may help to have some basic skills in mechanics.

You can find out more about careers in farming and agriculture from Tasty Careers.

Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to have a good level of fitness and you may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Career Path and Progression

With qualifications and experience, you could progress to supervisor or unit manager on a large farm. You may have to move between farms to gain experience and promotion.

You could also become an agricultural contractor, supplying services to several farms, servicing machinery or working in agricultural equipment and supplies.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Agricultural contractor
• Farmer
• Gamekeeper

Although this job role does not require formal qualifications, we highly recommend that you try to achieve at least a grade 4 (C) in English & Maths. Achieving this minimum grade in these subjects will increase opportunities in the future and help with your career development and prospects.

If you don't achieve the minimum grades, you will be supported to continue to study English and Maths throughout your full-time education or an apprenticeship.

Required Skills

• The ability to do hard physical work
• excellent verbal communication skills
• Be a practical type of person
• Have a good awareness of health and safety procedure
• the ability to work on your own

Salary Range

£13,000 to £25,000