Breeding (Crop) Technician Apprentice
ELSOMS SEEDS LTD
SPALDING (PE11 1QG)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 26 August 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Breeding (Crop) Technician Apprentice to join our breeding team Crop technician / Skills England. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in plant breeding while studying towards a recognised Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Crop technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Full time, Monday to Friday. There will be an expectation to work additional hours during peak harvest time.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 5 October 2027
- Duration
-
2 years 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
- Assist in the planning, organisation and preparation of breeding trials, stock seed and productions
- Help with the drilling, planting and maintenance of trials
- Assist with all aspects of trials from drilling to selections
- Undertake glasshouse work including the sowing, growing and transplanting of plants
- Assist with the set-up of glasshouses and maintain the growth and health of plants, while maintaining cleanliness and high levels of hygiene within glasshouses and tunnels
- Maintain equipment and facilities associated with the department where necessary
- Assist with the production of high quality seed
- Assist with the bud pollination, crossing and bagging of plants Help with the organising, procuring, and development of biological pollinators and predators
- Assist with the drying, harvesting, cleaning, weighing and packeting of seeds
- Keep accurate crop and maintenance records from both field trials and in the glasshouse and accurately input information onto database. Prepare relevant protocols and keep updated
- Assist with other reasonable requests, to fulfil requirements of the R&D department as required. This may include working in the laboratory functions
- Work independently, without instruction, to ensure the task/function is completed consistently to a high standard
- At all times, maintain Elsoms’ strong Health & Safety culture and practices
- Attend regular meetings to discuss workload, share knowledge, identify and resolve problems and raise any health and safety issues
- Actively contribute to the departmental goals
Where you'll work
PINCHBECK ROAD
SPALDING
PE11 1QG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITY COLLEGE NORWICH
Training course
Crop technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
- Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
- Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
- Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
- Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
- Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
- Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
- Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
- Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
Training schedule
The training will take place at Easton College, Bawburgh Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 5DU. College attendance will be in a block pattern (3-4 days every four weeks).
More training information
There is an option to stay at the college whilst on your study days.
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- accuracy
- Enthusiastic
- Reliable
Other requirements
- There will be occasional work away from site that will involve overnight stays
- Right to work in the UK and eligible for apprenticeship funding requirements
- Full UK driving license advantageous
About this employer
Elsoms is one of the UK's leading plant breeding and agricultural research companies. We develop innovative vegetable varieties that help growers meet the challenges of tomorrow
https://elsoms.com/en (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Annual staff bonus (subject to company performance)
- Elsoms Seeds Ltd. share incentive plan
- Group income protection
- Life assurance
- Employee assistance programme
- Annual medical checks
- Staff social events
- Employee wellbeing initiatives include a cycle to work scheme, free fresh fruit, hot and cold drinks, free yoga classes, and a staff forum
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This course will support a learner’s workplace development which may include:
- Continuation, development or promotion at work or within this sector
- Progression to Level 4 Agriculture Apprenticeship or Agricultural Management BSc (Hons)
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CITY COLLEGE NORWICH
CCN Apprenticeships
apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk
01603773365
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050274.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)