You can do a foundation degree or degree in:
- agricultural engineering
- agricultural machinery engineering
- agricultural technology
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
Agricultural engineering technician
Agricultural engineering technicians help to solve practical engineering problems in land-based industries.
Average salary (a year)
£20,000 Starter
to£38,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40 to 42 variable
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts
How to become an agricultural engineering technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
College
You can do a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology or Land-Based Engineering at an agricultural college.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a land-based service engineering technician advanced apprenticeship. You can do this with an equipment manufacturer, service and repair contractor or at an agricultural college.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Direct application
You may be able to apply to vacancies directly if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant equipment.
More information
Further information
You can find more details about land-based careers and courses through the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and the Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- design skills and knowledge
- knowledge of physics
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Depending on your role, your day-to-day duties may include:
- helping agricultural engineers develop new products
- creating equipment plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
- making parts and building machinery
- testing the machinery's electrical and mechanical systems
- carrying out maintenance checks on mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- installing machinery on site
- inspecting, removing, replacing and testing equipment
- researching machinery developments and market trends
- demonstrating and selling new equipment and parts
- dealing with enquiries and orders
Working environment
You could work in an office, in a workshop or in a factory.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Career path and progression
With experience, knowledge and industry contacts, you could become self-employed.You could become a senior technician or workshop manager, or progress to a senior sales or management position.
You could also move into a training job as a college lecturer or technician, or take on an inspection role.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Apprentice Agricultural Technician - Louth
- Wage : £156.00 Weekly
- Location: Louth LN11 0WA
Apprentice Land Based Engineer
- Wage : £174.00 - £328.40 Weekly
- Location: Ripon HG4 1TT
Courses In England
Plant or Machinery Maintenance
- Provider: TRADE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE LTD
- Start date: 31 December 2019
- Location: Skelmersdale
Level 1 - Farm Animal Skills NEW
- Provider: Easton & Otley College
- Start date: 02 September 2019
- Location: Ipswich
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