Agricultural engineering technician

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma:

• agricultural engineering
• agricultural technology
• mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to find a trainee engineering technician role.

Courses include:

• agricultural engineering
• land-based technology
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/

You may be able to apply for a place on a Land-Based Engineer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This could be with an equipment manufacturer, service and repair company or agricultural college.

These take around 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You might be able to apply directly for jobs if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant vehicles and equipment.

Career Tips

As well as working on farm machinery, technicians service and repair equipment used in:

• forestry
• landscaping and leisure amenities
• horticultural production

You may be expected to work longer hours during peak farming times.

Further Information

You can find out more about a career in agricultural engineering from:

• We are land-based engineering
• Institution of Agricultural Engineers
• Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee
• The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture

As an agricultural engineering technician, you could:

• carry out scheduled maintenance and repairs on site or in a workshop
• respond to breakdown call-outs
• use diagnostic tools to find and fix faults
• install and demonstrate new and used machinery for customers
• complete maintenance records for each job
• mentor trainee technicians
• work with agricultural engineers to develop new products

You could work in an office, in a workshop or on a farm.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.