Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture (720)

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture gives you the opportunity to learn about and build on the essentials of working in agriculture that include safe working practices in farming, crop production, livestock husbandry, plant and soil science and operating agricultural machinery as well as business skills and estate maintenance. You will then choose to specialise in either mixed farming or farm mechanisation.

Students choosing the mixed farming option will be preparing for roles predominantly working with livestock or crops, or both. You will learn about grassland management and gain skills for safely operating quad bikes and tele-handlers. You will also cover specialist livestock production. You can also study areas such as forage or root crop production, agricultural spreaders and sprayers and mechanised agricultural crop handling and storage.

If you choose the farm mechanisation option, you will study land-based power units and agricultural spreaders and sprayers plus you will then you will learn more about other
skills such repairing compression-ignition engines and mechanical power transmission systems and repairing cultivation, planting and application machinery.

Compulsory topics include:

• Safe working in agriculture
  
• Machinery operations
  
• Agricultural crop production
  
• Livestock husbandry
  
• Plant and soil science
  
• Estate maintenance skills

Learners will also be able to choose additional optional topics, including:

• Forage crop production
• Root crop production
• Pollution and waste control
• Habitat management
• Dairy, sheep, beef, poultry and pig production
• Spreaders and sprayers
• Business planning and management
• Workshop practice
• Transmission systems
• Repairing cultivation and harvesting machinery

This could lead to the following employment opportunities:

• Assistant stockperson
• Herdsperson
• Shepherd
• Dairyman
• Contractor (livestock)
• Crop store assistant
• Contractor (crops)
• Assistant head tractor driver
• Sprayer operator
• Machinery operator
• Farm mechanic

It could also lead on to further education.  You may wish to progress onto an Advanced Apprenticeship in Agriculture which allows you to combine working on a farm
with typically attending one day a week at college or with a training provider. Or alternatively, you may wish to progress onto further learning within a Higher
Education Institution – search for Agriculture Courses.

Read more about this in the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture (720) Qualification Handbook

Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture (720) website