Apprentice Dairy Operator
P G T HOOK & SON
HAILSHAM (BN27 1ER)
Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 6 November 2026
Contents
Summary
This apprenticeship offers hands-on experience on an 80-cow organic dairy farm. You’ll develop skills in animal care, milking and farm operations, and gain insight into dairy retail, giving insight into the full farm-to-customer journey. We’re looking for someone eager to learn and committed to high welfare standards.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Livestock unit technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Tuesday to Friday, plus alternate Saturdays. Working hours are 5:00am to 10:00am and 2:00pm to 7:00pm, with an unpaid break between shifts. Total working hours are 40 hours per week. The role includes early starts and weekend.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 23 November 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 operations will vary but will include:
- Carrying out daily milking routines and maintaining high standards of animal welfare
- Assisting with calf rearing, including feeding, health checks and general care
- Undertaking livestock husbandry tasks such as feeding, bedding and monitoring stock
- Supporting general farm operations, including fencing, yard duties and seasonal farm work
Where you'll work
LONGLEYS FARM
HAREBEATING LANE
HAILSHAM
BN27 1ER
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 occur in person at Plumpton College one day every two weeks.
Requirements
Desirable 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
- Problem solving skills
- Physical fitness
- Initative
Other requirements
Applicants should be comfortable working in an agricultural environment while maintaining a strong food hygiene mindset. As the farm produces raw milk, high standards of cleanliness, attention to detail, and adherence to hygiene and biosecurity procedures are essential. The role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and requires a commitment to both animal welfare and food safety. Own transport is advised due to the farm's rural location.
About this employer
Farm fresh organic, grass-fed, single herd milk from the Hailsham Herd of Holstein Friesian cows at Longley's Farm, Hailsham, East Sussex. The Hook family run a traditional dairy farm which was featured in a film called 'The Moo Man',
Company benefits
Produce is available at staff rate & additional training.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role within the business, with opportunities to take on greater responsibility as the farm continues to grow. The apprentice will develop valuable skills in organic dairy production, livestock management and dairy husbandry, including experience in raw milk production, which is a specialist and highly sought-after area within the dairy industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000061849.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11:59pm)