Agriculture Courses & Careers

Where Careers Grow

Sources: http://www.virtualfarmwalk.org/assets/pdf/farmfacts.pdf | https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/blog/articles/2018/09/farming-facts/

OVER 150,000 agricultural businesses in the UK

Exceptional EMPLOYMENT RATES after uni for example, 96% of graduates leaving Harper Adams University are

employed within six months

LABOUR SHORTAGE - the agricultural industry reckons it needs

60,000 new people to work in the sector by 2020

600,000 people work in agriculture

57% of all the land in the UK is used for agriculture, with just 5.4% used for crop growing

Tonnes of Tatties - Farms produce over

5.5 million tonnes

of potatoes every year. That’s the equivalent of

27.5 billion PACKETS OF CRISPS!

BREAD WINNERS

The UK produces 7.8 million tonnes

of wheat annually. That’s a whole lot of loaves!

TRACTOR TIME - a large tractor

can do in a day what used to take 100 people a week!

HOME GROWN - 60%

of all food eaten in the UK is grown on British farms

The UK agricultural industry contributes

£14.3 billion to the UK economy

Welcome to Houghall – Where Careers Grow!The world needs talented, highly-skilled farmers. It needs agricultural managers and advisors to ensure this vital, diverse and technological industry is fit for the challenge ahead. As the leading college for agriculture and the rural sectors in our region, Houghall is the best place to develop your talent.

Houghall, located on the outskirts of Durham City Centre, has delivered specialist agricultural education for over 80 years. There’s no better place to learn agriculture than at Houghall; thousands

upon thousands of agricultural professionals all started their career right here with us.

Agriculture is an extremely diverse and exciting industry, packed full of opportunities. Whether you’d like to be a crop farmer, providing sustainable food for the future, raise livestock or develop your skills into more specialist fields such as crop conservation or work in agricultural sales, it all starts at East Durham College’s Houghall campus.

Our lecturers don’t just teach agriculture – they live and breathe it too. They’re all seasoned agricultural professionals who have years of experience in the industry and are on-hand to ensure that your agricultural education is informative, exciting and that your time at Houghall is enjoyable as possible.

Are you ready to get started? Read on and find out more about our incredible agricultural facilities, our course options and more information about agricultural career routes.

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“Getting hands-on experience has

done wonders for my confidence”

Your Agricultural CareerWhat do you think of when you think of a career in agriculture? Chances are you’re probably thinking of getting up bright and early, perhaps gathering a few eggs from your hens, before driving a tractor round your field, unearthing your latest crop of potatoes. You’ll probably be thinking of being up to your shins in mud in a pair of thick wellies, or herding some sheep, a faithful sheepdog at your side.

This all, of course, is a part of agriculture and the potential work you could be doing. But what you perhaps didn’t know is this is just a small part of the potential careers you could find yourself working in – there really is a specialism for absolutely everyone in agriculture!

If you love getting outdoors, working hard and growing a rewarding career for yourself, agriculture is for you. There’s never been a better time to join either – labour shortages in the UK mean 60,000 new people in the agriculture industry are predicted to be needed in the next few years!

Here’s a selection of the careers you could find yourself working in, after your time at Houghall:

Job roles which require at least a Level 2 qualification:

Agricultural Fencer Farm Labourer Farm Machinery Technician General Farm Worker Herdsperson Sheep Shearer Shepherd/Shepherdess Tractor Driver

Job roles which require at least a Level 3 qualification (degree/masters maybe required for some roles):

Agricultural Building Construction Agricultural Engineer Agricultural Scientist Agronomist (Soil + Crop Production Expert) Artificial Insemination Technician

Assistant Farm Manager Agricultural Technologist Calf Rearer Countryside Manager DEFRA Officer Farm Animal Nutritionist Farm Auditor Feed Sales Forage Analyst Genetics and Breeding Livestock Auctioneer Livestock Buyer for an Abattoir Machinery Sales Poultry Farm Manager (Broiler/Layer) Research & Development Retail/Wholesale with an Agricultural Merchant Salesperson for a Pharmaceutical Company Teaching (College/Uni Lecturer) Work for Levy Bodies (e.g AHDB) Work for Trade Associations

(e.g NSA, NBA and LAA) Numerous Self-Employment opportunities

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The Houghall FarmJust minutes from Durham City Centre and set on an incredible, 476-acre estate, the Houghall campus is an incredible place to study agriculture.

The Houghall farm has grown over the past 80 years to become a true centre of agricultural excellence.

East Durham College recently invested £13.25 million into the redevelopment of Houghall, including a £3.5 million investment in a brand new, state-of-the-art agricultural centre. The new farm includes an ultra-modern pig unit with air conditioning, a huge cattle unit with 6 large pens and forage storage to supplement the existing sheep unit, down at the original Houghall farm site.

As a fully working commercial farm, Houghall also produces its own meat for sale. We supply meat to both the college canteen and to Durham University.

Around the farm, Houghall includes over 200 acres of arable land. Here, we grow and harvest a wide range of crops including winter wheat, winter barley, spring oats, spring beans and lupins. These crops are used to feed the farm’s livestock a correct diet, with minimal impact on the environment.

The farm has important partnerships with Agrii and Carrs Billington, whom the college work alongside researching crop trials and feed trials.

Training at the farm is also carried out in close partnership with Trading Standards, training their staff to help ensure food safety throughout the industry.

The £13.25 million Houghall Campus redevelopment was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 13th January 2017.

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Agricultural Learning at East Durham College’s Houghall CampusThere are several different full-time agricultural courses available at Houghall.

They are: C&G Level 1 Diploma in Work-Based Land-Based Operations C&G Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture C&G Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture

We also offer the following apprenticeship pathways: Level 2 Apprenticeship in Agriculture Level 3 Apprenticeship in Agriculture

In addition, we also offer several part-time and short courses in various agricultural disciplines (see page 11).

Which full time course you are eligible to study on will depend on your previous qualifications. Our lecturers will interview you before you enrol to make sure you’re put on the correct course programme for you.

To move on to the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma course, you’ll need to complete, or already hold, a relevant Level 2 qualification. Most students progress on to Level 3 after taking the Level 2 course.

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City & Guilds Level 1Diploma in Work-BasedLand-Based OperationsAre you completely new to the agriculture industry, and want to start gaining a good, basic understanding of this exciting career pathway? Then this is the course for you!

The Level 1 Diploma is an introductory course, so if you’ve got no previous knowledge of agriculture, that’s not a problem at all. With this qualification under your belt, you could move into a job directly as a farm labourer, progress onto a higher qualification to further enhance your career prospects, or into an apprenticeship.

While agriculture is one of the potential pathways available from the Level 1 Diploma, you can also choose to take a Horticulture or Animal Care route instead.

We cover a wide variety of different topics during this course, including:

Estate Skills Health and Safety and Safe Working Practices Work Experience Caring for Small Animals Caring for Farm Livestock Conservation Lawn and Plant Maintenance Maths & English

As with all our agriculture courses, the Level 1 Diploma is a very hands-on, practical course with some theory elements. You can expect to be out and about around Houghall’s huge estate on a regular basis, getting to grips with life on the farm, while developing your understanding of agriculture.

Entry RequirementsYou’ll be expected to have a minimum of three GCSEs or equivalent to take this course. If you have not achieved a grade 4 in GCSE maths and English, you will also study these subjects alongside your agriculture course. Maths and English skills are highly valuable by all employers regardless of the industry you work in, so it is essential that you have these.

Course LengthThis is a one-year full-time study programme.

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Level 2 Diploma in AgricultureIf you’ve got the required qualifications, you could be eligible to skip the Level 1 qualification and move straight on to Level 2.

As with the Level 1 Diploma, the Level 2 Diploma will have you regularly outdoors around Houghall, both on and off the farm. You’ll be needing your wellies and be willing to work hard as you get to grips with farm work; if you have a love of outdoors and working with your hands, you’ll love this course.

A more specialist course than Level 1, it deals purely with agricultural work, you’ll learn a wide variety of agricultural skills and study many different topics, including:

Land-Based Business

Farm Animal Production

Land Based Machinery

Tractor Driving

Grass and Forage Crop Production

Estate Maintenance and Safe Working on Farms

This course is an ideal stepping stone into a number of different jobs, including Farmer, General Farm Worker, Shepherd/Shepherdess, Farm Machinery Technician and much more. Alternatively, you could move on after this course to the Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification to further extend your potential employment options. There’s also the opportunity to progress onto university.

Entry RequirementsDirect Entry: Three GCSEs at grade 3 or above including maths, English and science.

Progressive entry: Level 1 in a land-based subject and a minimum of entry level 3 maths and English. Good attendance the for previous year and excellent standards of behaviour are also required.

Course LengthThis is a one-year full-time study programme.

Former Houghall Student Karl BrownKarl Brown, a former East Durham College Houghall student, is now living his dream of working with animals as a Stocksman at Beamish Museum in Country Durham.

Karl’s main role is the care and wellbeing of the animals around Beamish Farm, as well as completing other farming duties as required, such as driving a tractor or picking potatoes.

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City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in AgricultureEntry RequirementsThe highest agricultural qualification we currently offer at Houghall, the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma incorporates a detailed, varied studied programme to fully prepare you for a diverse range of agricultural jobs, or for moving on to university and higher study.

This qualification gives you the opportunity to learn about, and build on, the essentials of working in farming. You’ll get the chance to decide during this course on a specific pathway you’d like to study; you can choose between three options – Livestock, Arable or Farm Mechanisation.

Livestock Route We’d highly recommend taking the Livestock route if you enjoy the aspects of farming relating to animals and their husbandry and production. If you choose to study the Livestock route, you’ll go on to study subjects including farm livestock health and nutrition, pollution and waste control management, business improvement and farm animal science. This will also include a rich study programme incorporating specialist dairy, beef, sheep, pig or

poultry production, with the option to study further topics including grassland management or farm habitat management.

Arable Route Not sure about the Livestock route? Why not consider the Arable route instead? Via this route, you’ll learn skills that are essential for working with agricultural crops, including pollution and waste control management, business improvement, agricultural spreaders and sprayers and various other topics including forage crop production, grassland management, harvesting, storage and marketing of root crops, field vegetable production and combinable crop production.

Farm Mechanisation Route Prefer to get hands on with machinery? Choose the Farm Mechanisation route! You’ll focus on farm machinery and how it is integrated into day-to-day farm life, studying topics including land-based power units, workshop practices, repairing compression-ignition engines, mechanical power transmission systems, spark-ignition

(petrol) engines, cultivation, planting, application machinery and harvesting machinery.

We work closely with local employers to deliver further specialist training to you, with the possibility of work experience organised through these employers.

Entry RequirementsIf you’re progressing from the Level 2 Diploma, you’ll be expected to have an overall Merit grade and be competent at tractor driving. Excellent attendance from the previous year is also required.

Direct entry onto this course is also possible – you’ll be expected to have a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 to 9, including maths, English, science and two other subjects. Basic livestock knowledge and tractor driving skills are also required.

Course LengthThis is a two-year full-time study programme, incorporating a mix of practical and theory work.

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“ The knowledge I have gained at Houghall has helped me achieve my goals”

Agricultural Related Short CoursesDo you already work in the agricultural industry or are you an employer looking for a provider to enhance the skills of your staff? With EDC’s range of agricultural short courses, you can expand your skills, or the skills of those you employ.

We currently offer the following agricultural related short courses at Houghall:

College Certificate in Tractor Operation and Basic Maintenance

NPTC Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Operations

NPTC Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides

NPTC Foundation Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1)

NPTC Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Handheld Equipment (PA6 AW)

NPTC Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Handheld Equipment (PA6 INJ)

Hand Held Applicators (PA6) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate

Hand Held Applicators Around Water (PA6W) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate

Tractor Operation and Basic Maintenance - College Certificate

Operation and Maintenance of Tractor Mounted Implements - College Certificate

Forklift Truck Telehandler - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate

Side Arm Flail (Tractor Mounted Hedgecutter) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate

Ride-on Mowers Operation and Maintenance - College Certificate

Trailer Manoeuvres and Reversing - College Certificate

Brushcutter/Strimmer (Cord or Metal Blade) - College Certificate

Brushwood Chipper - College Certificate

Hedgecutters - College Certificate

Pedestrian Mowers Operation and Maintenance - College Certificate

Interested in any of these courses? Then please give our short courses team a call on 0191 375 4714 for more information.

Former EDC agriculture student Michelle Gilson is now part of the college’s agricultural teaching team and also helps run the family farm.

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Agricultural ApprenticeshipsPrefer to earn while you learn? At East Durham College, we can help you to gain employment as an agricultural apprentice.

Apprenticeships are a great option because you’re learning while gaining real work experience. You’ll work alongside experienced agricultural professionals who’ll be responsible for your development, and you’ll also earn an apprenticeship wage while working too. When done, you’ll also hold an agricultural qualification.

The agricultural industry includes livestock businesses which manage dairy cows, cattle for beef, sheep for wool and pigs/poultry. It also includes the management and growth of crops, which can include businesses which grow wheat, oats, peas, oilseed rape, grass and a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables.

As an agricultural apprentice, you may find yourself working in many different jobs depending on your employer - if you love working outdoors, or working with animals, an agricultural apprenticeship is an excellent way to get experience and earn while you learn.

Generally agricultural apprentices are classed into what’s known as a level. These are:

Intermediate Level (Level 2) - you may work as a farm worker, tractor driver, stock person, pig technician or hatchery staff at this level

Advanced Level (Level 3) - this level will generally require experience at level 2, or a level 3 qualification. At advanced level, you may work in more specialised roles such as a section head, agricultural machinery operator, assistant farm manager, livestock technician or shepherd

Although we do not currently offer a Level 4 (higher level) apprenticeship in agriculture at EDC, you could progress further in the field afterwards by taking a level 4 apprenticeship. Level 4 offers:

Higher Level (Level 4) - at this level, you will gain further skills and could work in areas such as agricultural business management, working as a unit manager, farm manager or assistant farm manager

13Want more info on apprenticeships? Visit eastdurham.ac.uk/ apprenticeship_in_agriculture

14Applying for an Agricultural Course at EDCSo, you’ve decided agriculture is the course for you? Great – grab your wellies and get prepared to start the next exciting chapter in your career, right here at East Durham College.

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online via our website, edc.ac.uk

Thank you so much for your interest in our agriculture courses here at East Durham College. If you’ve got any further questions about any of our courses, you can get in touch with us using the numbers and information on the back of this brochure.

Visit: eastdurham.ac.uk/apply_now

to submit your Agriculture Course Application!

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“I like being able to give mother-nature a little helping hand”

Call us: 0191 375 4700 (Main Houghall Switchboard) 0191 375 4714 (Short Courses Team)Email us: enquiries@eastdurham.ac.ukeastdurham.ac.uk/agriculture_courses

Where Careers Grow