Livestock Technician Apprentice
Plumpton College
Lewes (BN7 3AS)
Closes in 18 days (Friday 14 August 2026)
Posted on 23 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Join us to build practical skills across our commercial dairy, beef, sheep and pig enterprises. Working with an experienced team, you will gain hands-on experience in livestock production, grassland management, animal health & welfare, machinery operation and supporting our move towards sustainable, environmentally focused practices.
- Wage
-
£26,436.80 a year
- Training course
- Livestock unit technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Typically, Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm, with early starts where required. Weekend working is an essential and is undertaken on a rota, with approximately every other weekend worked. Seasonality may require additional hours during busy periods.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 31 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
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
Day-to-day tasks will vary but will include:
- Supporting the daily operation of the college farm across dairy, beef, sheep and pig enterprises
- Assisting with livestock care, feeding, milking, calf rearing, lambing, calving, farrowing and routine animal health monitoring
- Helping maintain high standards of animal welfare, hygiene, biosecurity, cleanliness, and health and safety across the farm
- Contributing to general farm duties including bedding, fencing, grassland management, machinery operation, crop work and record keeping
- Working alongside experienced staff to develop practical skills in modern livestock technology and commercial farming systems
Where you'll work
Lambert Farm
Plumpton
Lewes
BN7 3AS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
Training course
Livestock unit technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
- Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
- Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
- Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
- Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
- Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
- Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
- Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
- Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
- Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
- Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
- Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
- Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
- Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
- Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork
- Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
- Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
- Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
- Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
- Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
- Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
- Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
- Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
- Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
- Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
- Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
- Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
- Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
- Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
- Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork
Training schedule
Training will take place at Plumpton College and occur bi-weekly.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Reliable
Other requirements
The farm is in a rural location with limited public transport, so reliable transport is recommended. The role involves working outdoors throughout the year and includes weekend duties on a rota.
About this employer
Plumpton College is one of the UK's leading land and environment colleges, delivering industry-leading education, training and applied learning. The College Farm is a progressive commercial mixed farming enterprise, comprising dairy, beef, sheep, pig and arable enterprises, providing a real farming environment where food production, education and innovation come together. As the farm continues its journey towards becoming a leader in sustainable agriculture, apprentices will be part of a team developing new approaches to environmentally focused land management, resource efficiency and resilient food production, while maintaining the highest standards of animal health and welfare. Working alongside experienced farm staff, lecturers and industry partners, apprentices will gain hands-on experience in modern farming systems, emerging technologies and agricultural best practice, helping to shape the future of the business while building the skills needed for a successful career in agriculture.
Company benefits
- Free parking
- Access to a free on-site gym
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Staff discounts
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful apprentices may progress into roles such as Livestock Technician, Herdsperson, Assistant Herd Manager, Stockperson or Farm Technician, with opportunities to continue into higher-level agricultural qualifications and supervisory positions.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044642.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Friday 14 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.