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.
Current opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Service Workshop Apprentice
- Wage : £156.00 Weekly
- Location: Birmingham B14 4RS
Landbase Service Engineer Apprentice
- Wage : £223.00 Weekly
- Location: Hove BN3 7GP
Courses In England
Plant or Machinery Maintenance
- Provider: TRADE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE LTD
- Start date: 31 December 2019
- Location: Skelmersdale
IT USERS ENTRY 3 AWARD C&G (LEWSEY FARM) FEB
- Provider: Central Bedfordshire College
- Start date: 18 February 2020
- Location: LUTON
JobsIn the United Kingdom
The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.
Skills assessment
Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.
Get help using this service
Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat
8am to 10pm, 7 days a week
More ways to contact us