Dairy operations General Farm worker Apprentice
DAIRY DECISIONS LTD
Castle Cary, Shepton Mallet
Closes in 29 days (Thursday 28 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 April 2026
Contents
Summary
Our 250 cow block- Calving Farm is looking for a motivated individual who thrives in a fast paced farm environment. You'll take part in milking, calving support, yard work, and cattle handling. This is a great opportunity to grow your skill and be part of a forward- thinking dairy team.
- Wage
-
£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Probation period 3 months wage set at £8.00 per hour - however this will be reviewed on individual experience and competent.
Apprentices will need to be paid National Minimum Wage after their first year of their Apprenticeship.
- Training course
- General farm worker (level 2)
- Hours
-
Every other weekend hours example 06.00- 10.00 14.00- 18.00- 09.00- 18.00 rest area available.
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 24 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Milking
- Cleaning beds using bedding machine
- Yard scrapping with small tractor and hand scrapper
- Washing of parlour and using pressure washer
- Assisting with cattle handling
- Calve rearing
- Keeping farm clean and tidy ensuring the farm is health and safety ready a all times
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Thornymarsh Farm, Thorn, Castle Cary, BA7 7NT
- Cross Farm, Worminster, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4AJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP
Training course
General farm worker (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
- Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
- Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
- Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
- Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
- Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
- Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
- Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
- Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
- Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
- Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
- Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
- Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
- Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
- Assist with the preparation of the ground, including identification of soil condition through soil sampling and preparing crop for planting
- Load, unload and complete paperwork for transportation of resources manually and using loading equipment, according to instruction
- Monitor the growth and development of crops in line with customer specification, as instructed
- Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
- Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
- Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
- Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
- Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
- Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
- Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
- Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
- Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3/C and above)
- Maths (grade 3/C and above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
This role is a very physical role, working in all weather conditions, working individually but not alone within a small team you have a passion for cows it is also very rewarding.
About this employer
We are a proud three generation family dairy farm near Castle Cary. We milk our herd twice daily in a modern herringbone parlour and operate a contract farmed unit in Shepton Mallet. Our long history, hands-on approach, and commitment to quality shape everything we do.
http://dairydecisions.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Access to bright HR- tailed individual training plan with monthly review, holiday pay- HR support
After this apprenticeship
- Working towards a permit position with the Farm tailed to the individual and needs of the business
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP
Harrison
business@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028382.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Thursday 28 May 2026 at 11:59pm)