Tractor driver

You could do a Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Occupations course at an agricultural college.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for agricultural colleges
• search for courses

You can complete an intermediate apprenticeship in agriculture.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

There are no set entry requirements if you want to apply directly but experience in farming or dairying could be useful. A knowledge of basic mechanics might also be helpful.

Registration

• you'll need a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card to operate some machinery

Further information

You can find out more about working in farming from Tasty Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of food production methods
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work on your own
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll be:

• discussing work schedules with the farm manager
• carrying out equipment and machinery checks
• inputting instructions into the cab’s control panels
• ploughing fields and sowing seeds
• spraying crops with fertilisers and pesticides
• harvesting vegetable, cereal and non-food crops
• using baling machines to bind crops and hay ready for storage
• maintaining hedges and roadside verges with tractor cutting attachments
• carrying out basic maintenance and repairs

You could work on a farm.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, cramped, noisy, physically demanding and dusty.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.