During the 2-year programme, students will learn the core knowledge and skills that are needed for entry to a range of agriculture, land management and production occupations. The first year will include more classroom delivery to ensure learners have got a solid foundation in theory topics. The second year is heavily practical and applied.

Core content
– sustainability, including environmental legislation, sustainable development, climate change and waste management principles
– the principles of biosecurity
– employment rights and responsibilities and progression opportunities within the sector
– ethical principles
– the supply chain and principles of stock management
– business organisations, enterprise skills and project management
– characteristics protected by equality legislation
– communication
– principles of customer care
– finance
– health and safety
– information and data

Livestock specialism
– health and safety
– sustainability in livestock systems
– biosecurity for livestock environments
– supply chain and stock management ‘non-feed’ processes
– bodily systems (animal anatomy & physiology)
– nutrition for livestock species
– medicine
– technology and equipment used in livestock production

Occupational specialism
– optimise animal breeding and production
– rear and optimise livestock production
– maintain areas surrounding livestock

Practical Tasks could include: Husbandry tasks, Rearing, Livestock production, Feeding and accommodation, Crop production, Machinery and equipment, Estate maintenance, Environment and accommodation, Health, welfare and performance, Areas of the livestock production environment, as well as Performance data