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Tractor driver

Alternative titles for this job include Agricultural machinery operator, combine harvester driver, crop sprayer

Tractor drivers operate farm machinery used to plough fields, plant seeds, and spray and harvest crops.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

60 to 62 seasonal

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How to become a tractor driver

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Occupations.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Apprenticeship

You can complete an intermediate apprenticeship in agriculture.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Direct application

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.

More information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about farming careers from Bright Crop.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

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.

Career path and progression

You can take further training to operate a wider range of machinery, which will increase your job prospects.

With experience, you could become an agricultural contractor, machinery engineer or farm manager. 

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Dairy Apprentice

  • Wage : £234.00 Weekly
  • Location: Chippenham SN14 8LE

Apprentice Pig Person

  • Wage : £170.00 Weekly
  • Location: Norwich NR14 7PH
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

NPTC LEVEL 3 SUBSIDIARY DIPLOMA IN LAND-BASED TECHNOLOGY (QCF)

  • Provider: CRAVEN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2019
  • Location: SKIPTON

Diploma Level 1 Agriculture and Countryside

  • Provider: Moulton College
  • Start date: 09 September 2019
  • Location: Northampton
Find courses near you

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