Crop technician - Container Based Systems Crop Technician

Key information

  1. Reference: OCC0018A
  2. Date updated: 07/02/2025
  3. Level: 3
  4. Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
  5. Regulated occupation: No

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Details of the occupational standard

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Occupation summary

This occupation is found in a diverse range of businesses, spanning from small enterprises to international organisations. 

Crop* Technicians in the agriculture and horticulture industries serve as the foundation for both food production, viticulture and landscaping.  

Their work encompasses various environments, including soil-based systems and container-based systems. 

In soil-based systems, crop technicians are likely to operate large, technically advanced machinery in open fields.  

Crop technicians working in container-based systems may spend some time outside, but the majority of their work occurs in controlled environments. These environments require constant monitoring and adaptation to suit the growth stage and species being cultivated. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to optimise crop and plant yields through establishment, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.  

They stay up to date with technological advances and may specialise in either soil-based or container-based systems. Soil-based systems involve growing crops in fields, adapting to weather conditions, while container-based systems are managed environments used for horticulture and tree growth. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the crops they manage. They monitor growth stages, assess health, and address any issues, such as pests or diseases. 

They will work with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate tasks, share insights, and work together to achieve optimal crop yields. 

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring high-quality sustainable crop production. 

Crop technicians will work independently and as part of a team. They need to be self-motivated to complete tasks. 

Some routine tasks are automated, requiring technical skills to operate machinery. 

They are typically responsible for the efficient use of  natural resources such as soil and water. They will also manage plant nutrients and adapt their approach to changing weather conditions and environments.  

Crop technicians adopt sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact and adhere to safety protocols when operating machinery or handling chemicals. 

*Crop is used as a generic term for what is being grown. For the purpose of this standard, crop could be arable, vegetable, fruit, ornamental or landscape plants, vines and grapes. 

Core occupation duties

Duty KSBs
Duty 1 Promote and maintain health, safety, hygiene and site security across productive and non-productive areas of the site.
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K12 K19
S1 S2 S3 S6 S12 S13 S25 S26 S28
B1 B2 B3 B4 B7 B8
Duty 2 Manage digital or paper-based record keeping including crop quality related data, chemical, productivity and legislated financial records.
K3 K4 K9 K13 K19
S1 S2 S6 S7 S10 S25 S26 S28
B1 B2 B3 B4 B8
Duty 3 Manage the end-to-end crop production process to ensure compliance with current environmental legislation and ensure economic sustainability.
K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K15 K16 K19
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S25 S26 S27 S28
B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 4 Operate and carry out maintenance on machinery, equipment or technology.
K1 K2 K3 K5 K10 K16 K19
S3 S6 S8 S10 S11 S25 S26
B1 B4 B8
Duty 5 Operate and maintain vehicles appropriate to the organisation in line with certified requirements where applicable. For example, telehandler, electric vehicle, all terrain vehicle or forklift.
K1 K2 K5 K19
S3 S6 S9 S10 S25 S26
B1 B4 B5 B8
Duty 6 Plan and carry out the end-to-end crop development cycle from receipt, establishment and growth through to harvest and dispatch in accordance with the customer specification and the environment
K4 K6 K7 K8 K13 K14 K19
S4 S12 S14 S15 S25 S26 S27 S28
B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8
Duty 7 Identify the likely pests, weeds and diseases and create an integrated pest management plan for treatment and storage of relevant materials, chemicals and biological agents.
K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K10 K11 K13 K19
S2 S7 S25 S26
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7 B8
Duty 8 Apply nutrients and irrigation as required by the crop taking in account plant requirements and changes in conditions.
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K14 K19
S3 S5 S6 S8 S12 S14 S15 S16 S25 S26
B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8
Duty 9 Plan and carry out the harvesting/dispatch operation using appropriate techniques to match crops requirements for condition and quality.
K1 K2 K3 K6 K9 K11 K13 K14 K19
S1 S2 S3 S6 S10 S11 S12 S25 S26
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
Duty 10 Plan storage and movement ensuring that crop quality is maintained
K1 K2 K3 K6 K12 K13 K14 K19
S1 S6 S10 S11 S12 S13 S25 S26
B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8
×

Required knowledge

    Required skill

      Required behaviour

        Option duties

        Container Based Systems Crop Technician duties

        Duty KSBs
        Duty 15 Carry out maintenance of productive and non-productive areas.
        K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K10 K11 K12 K13 K18 K19
        S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S9 S12 S14 S15 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26
        B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8
        Duty 16 Plan and carry out plant removal following completion of the growing, harvesting and dispatch cycle
        K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K9 K13 K18 K19
        S1 S2 S3 S6 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26
        B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8
        ×

        Required knowledge

          Required skill

            Required behaviour

              KSBs

              Knowledge

              Skills

              Behaviours

              T Level in agriculture, Land Management and Production

              Awarding organisation: City & Guilds

              Qualification type: T Level Qualification level: 3 Qualification approved: 01/06/2023
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