Crop Technician Apprenticeship Standard

Crop Establishment
• Prepare seed bed/growing medium for maximum growth potential
• Carry out relevant establishment of crops for efficient growth

Vehicle Operation
• Competently operate (to the equivalent of a certified level) a relevant vehicle used in the business

Crop Management
• Control of pests, weeds and diseases including safe use, application and storage of chemicals
• Carry out plant nutrient application and/or irrigation tasks if applicable to aid growth of crop

Harvest
• Carry out harvesting operations including assessment of timing and quality
• Appropriate harvesting techniques to match crop condition and quality requirements
• Operate to high levels of hygiene

Storage
• Store crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality

Maintenance and preparation
• Soil/substrate maintenance tasks to ensure efficient and healthy growth of the crop/plant
• Soil/substrate sampling and acting upon results as appropriate to ensure nutrition is correct

Option - Soil based system
Soil based systems are used to grow a wide variety of crops in fields. This includes cereals, oilseeds, a number of vegetables and fruit trees. Production is dependent on the natural resources and physical inputs (plant nutrients etc) and very reliant on the weather which has a significant impact on the growth and ultimate management of a crop. This means you must have the knowledge and ability to adapt at short notice to ensure a high-quality product.

Specific skill requirements:
• Correctly set machinery and monitoring machine performance for good seed establishment and crop growth
• Correctly set machinery to match crop and soil condition and quality requirements during harvest
• Maintenance of non-productive areas

Specific knowledge requirements:
• Impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage.

Option - Container based system
Container based systems are generally used within horticulture to grow plants and trees but can also be used for fruit production. In a containerised system, the environment is ‘managed’ and it is likely you will spend a proportion of your time indoors. Container production will involve monitoring and caring for vast numbers of plants on an individual basis, requiring good observational skills and attention to detail.

Specific skill requirements:
• Optimise growth conditions for specific crops, based on the individual needs of the plant relative to environment
• Maintenance of productive and non-productive areas
• Plant removal

Specific knowledge requirements:
• Difference growing mediums and their impact/relevance to production on site.

As a gateway requirement and prior to taking the EPA, apprentices must complete all approved qualifications mandated in the standard:

Level 2 Awards in:
• Safe use of Pesticides
• Additional safe use of Pesticides in Boom Sprayer, Mounted, trailer or Self-propelled equipment OR Granular applicator equipment OR Handheld applicator equipment
• Emergency First Aid at Work – Level 3