Land and Wildlife Diploma

Taster Day at Bicton College

1 June 2022, 09:30-15:30

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Future careers to take centre stage at college open day

22nd October 2021

Year 11 pupils from across the south west are being invited to explore a world of opportunities at a top rural college during the first open event of the term next month. 

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Sustainability tops college timetable during week-long eco conference

12th April 2021

A leading local college is renewing its focus on sustainability by hosting many of Cornwall’s most influential voices from the environmental movement in a series of talks and workshops. 

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Dragon den training for tenant farmers

4th June 2020

Before lockdown wannabee tenant farmers and those looking to upskill have undertaken Dragon’s Den–style training to help them fulfil their dreams of running a farm.

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Agriculture (Stockperson) Apprenticeship

Level 2 • Work-based • Bicton College

The industry provides unique opportunities for young people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment, producing one of the country’s most important products – food which accounts for 14% of the British GDP. Businesses within the industry range from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain. The key role for a Stockperson is to raise the animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of their life. This is practical work involving a combination of technology and manual labour. Being a stockperson requires compassion, self-motivation and the ability to work in a team and independently. A stockperson will be responsible for their own work, but will have close supervision. As animal welfare is a priority on farms, key to being a good stockperson is understanding your limits and knowing when to ask for help. Working with live animals presents a range of challenges to overcome and ensures no two days will be the same. This standard follows a ‘core and options’ approach. The core covers the generic requirements for looking after animals competently and the sector options provide more specific needs for different livestock. One option will be taken in addition to the core skills to complete this apprenticeship, which provides a solid foundation for a range of progression opportunities within the industry. At college you will cover 50% theory and 50% practical work, which will include learning more about tractor and machinery use, nutrition, health and welfare, health and safety, environment and conservation, and welding. You will be expected to undertake and pass a range of courses as part of this apprenticeship to include emergency first aid at work and the safe use of pesticides as well as choosing to do one of the following Boom sprayer, mounted, trailed or self-propelled equipment Granular applicator equipment Handheld applicator equipment Other short legislative courses are heavily subsidised such as Tele Handler, ATV and Mule.

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Agriculture Certificate

Level 2 • Full-time • Bicton College

Without food we simply would not survive and the growing world population is making increasing demands on the agricultural industry and the people that work within it. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the economy in the South West of England and provides a wide range of exciting job opportunities. Level 2 is an intermediate level programme equivalent to GCSE grade 5-9. The programme is aimed at individuals with a keen interest in agriculture and a desire to develop a greater understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the industry. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your confidence, agricultural knowledge and practical skills, alongside more general skills required to gain employment or to continue your academic study. Many of these skills will also be transferable to a range of other land based sectors to widen career opportunities. You will be learning from experienced agriculturalists both inside the classroom and on the college farm, it could be milking our herd of dairy cows, lambing our flock of sheep or ploughing a field before we plant our maize crop. You will spend some of your course time working alongside the farm staff, following the farm activities as you progress through the year, you could be selecting ewes for breeding in September, fencing in October, calving cows in February or shearing a ewe in May. You will have the opportunity to develop your confidence, knowledge and practical skills, alongside more general skills required to gain employment or to continue in education. As a level 2 course this diploma is all about introducing you to the agricultural industry or developing the skills that you already have to give you the very best opportunity to move onto a more technical agriculture course or enter the industry as an apprentice.

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Livestock Unit Technician

Level 3 • Work-based • Bicton College

This exciting new apprenticeship standard is to prepare you for operationally managing livestock related tasks on the farm and develop business productivity and efficiency. This apprenticehip will be a mixture of college and online delivery with farm visits incoroparated in the programme. You will come away with expanded knowledge, skills and behaviours in the running of a livestock unit. Start Time: 9.15am - End Time: 4.30pm

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