Professionally operate and support the management of an agricultural or horticultural business such as a farm.
This occupation is found in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, specifically the area of agriculture that includes sheep, dairy, cattle, beef cattle, pigs, goats, poultry, arable field based vegetables or energy crops. In horticulture it is recommended for those working in extensive horticultural field crops. Assistant farm managers tend to work in sectors such as dairy, beef and sheep, arable, pigs and poultry or can work at a business which may cut across multiple sectors. An assistant farm manager may work in any size farm business as employed labour whose intention will be to progress (through succession planning) to farm management either employed or running their own business, in the future. Titles in this job sector vary and it would be appropriate to a range of farm or horticultural site management positions
The broad purpose of the occupation is to professionally operate and support the management of an agricultural or horticultural business such as a farm. They will assist in the management at every stage, from the beginning of the product life cycle with the primary resource (seed for crops or breeding for livestock), during the production of the livestock or crops and through to either farm gate sale or direct supply to the consumer. They will consider human, plant and animal health and welfare standards, and environmental priorities. Assistant farm managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of a farm enterprise or enterprises to achieve productivity and environmental business objectives, industry benchmarks and KPIs. They will understand financial performance and control within the enterprise. Record keeping, data collection, data analysis and effective action planning will be key duties. They will manage people within their influence, which could include a small number of farm staff. They will also contribute to staff and personnel management, including appraisals, continuous professional development and updating of industry knowledge. Assistant farm managers would require relevant knowledge into current and future technologies, innovation and sustainability as this area will become a key focus in the future, such as precision farming and machinery operations. Assistant farm managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management requirements of supply chain contract requirements/protocols, farm assurance, carbon audits and legislation and industry standards for soil and management.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with and reports to the farm manager or general manager and collaborates with staff and external customers from deliveries of supplies, auditors, and private consumers (depending on the business). They will also deal directly with agronomists, vets, nutritionists, consultants, machinery engineers and sales personnel. They may interact and negotiate with suppliers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for
Assistant enterprise manager
Assistant estate/ s manager
Assistant farm manager
Assistant production manager
Production manager
Trainee farm manager
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 5 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the assistant farm manager, the qualification required is:
Level 3 award or training and assessment in emergency first aid at work minimum 3 day course (face-to-face), carried out by either an awarding organisation, a UKAS accredited trade body or voluntary aid society recognised by government as specified in HSE document GEIS 3.
Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City & Guilds Level 2 Principles of safe handling and application of pesticides
Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticide Using Hand Held Equipment OR City & Guilds Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
Project with business case
You will complete a project and write a business case. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The business case should be a maximum of 2500 words (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 6 weeks to complete the project and submit the business case to the EPAO.
You will have a question and answer session with an independent assessor to discuss the project. It will last 30 minutes. They will ask at least 6 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Farm or horticultural site walk underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence for the site walk before the EPA gateway. You can use it during the walk to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard and end-point assessment revised | 18/11/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 29/08/2023 | 17/11/2024 |
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