Dark Green occupationAgriculture, environmental and animal care
Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician
Optimising crop/plant yields whilst maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.
Summary
This occupation is found in a diverse range of businesses, spanning from small enterprises to international organisations.
Crop* Technicians in the agriculture and horticulture industries serve as the foundation for both food production, viticulture and landscaping.
Their work encompasses various environments, including soil-based systems and container-based systems.
In soil-based systems, crop technicians are likely to operate large, technically advanced machinery in open fields.
Crop technicians working in container-based systems may spend some time outside, but the majority of their work occurs in controlled environments. These environments require constant monitoring and adaptation to suit the growth stage and species being cultivated.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to optimise crop and plant yields through establishment, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.
They stay up to date with technological advances and may specialise in either soil-based or container-based systems. Soil-based systems involve growing crops in fields, adapting to weather conditions, while container-based systems are managed environments used for horticulture and tree growth.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the crops they manage. They monitor growth stages, assess health, and address any issues, such as pests or diseases.
They will work with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate tasks, share insights, and work together to achieve optimal crop yields.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring high-quality sustainable crop production.
Crop technicians will work independently and as part of a team. They need to be self-motivated to complete tasks.
Some routine tasks are automated, requiring technical skills to operate machinery.
They are typically responsible for the efficient use of natural resources such as soil and water. They will also manage plant nutrients and adapt their approach to changing weather conditions and environments.
Crop technicians adopt sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact and adhere to safety protocols when operating machinery or handling chemicals.
*Crop is used as a generic term for what is being grown. For the purpose of this standard, crop could be arable, vegetable, fruit, ornamental or landscape plants, vines and grapes.
Typical job titles include
- Arable technician | Horticulture operative | Viticulture operative
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
K2:
Risk identification and mitigation techniques for risk assessments relevant to own organisational policies and procedures. (Core)
K3:
Workplace specific health and safety processes and procedures to ensure everyone is safe in the workplace. (Core)
K4:
Environmental issues, legislation, codes of practice and company policies. (Core)
K5:
Methods to maintain paper or electronic records in accordance with legislation. (Core)
K6:
Policies, procedures, guidance and legislation related to the safe setup, operation, maintenance and storage of machinery, equipment, tools. (Core)
K7:
Preparation methods, timing of activities, aftercare and monitoring requirements for the crops grown on-site. (Core)
K8:
Crop identification and establishment process including principles and methods. (Core)
K9:
Principles of plant growth, development and plant health. (Core)
K10:
Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on financial resilience and sustainability. (Core)
K11:
Principles for developing and implementing an integrated pest management plan. (Core)
K12:
The relationship between soil types, environmental conditions, plant protection methods and crop growth. (Core)
K13:
The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste in line with company procedures, national regulations and legislation such as COSHH. (Core)
K14:
Quality standards and specifications relevant to their business and their importance. (Core)
K15:
Principles of environmental sustainability. (Core)
K16:
Emergency response and first aid protocols and procedures. (Core)
K17:
The impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage it can cause and the associated legislation to consider. (Soil based)
K19:
Methods to identify and undertake learning and continuing professional development opportunities. (Core)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0018: Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0018B
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £24,037 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5112 Horticultural trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5112/00 Horticultural trades
- 5111/01 Agricultural contractors
S1:
Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
S2:
Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
S3:
Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
S4:
Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
S5:
Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
S6:
Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
S7:
Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
S8:
Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
S9:
Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
S10:
Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
S11:
Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
S12:
Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
S13:
Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
S14:
Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
S15:
Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
S16:
Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
S17:
Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
S18:
Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
S19:
Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
S20:
Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
S25:
Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
S26:
Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
S27:
Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
S28:
Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0018: Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0018B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £24,037 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5112 Horticultural trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5112/00 Horticultural trades
- 5111/01 Agricultural contractors
B1:
Promote and adopt a safety culture and apply proactively for self, colleagues and visitors.
B2:
Act in a professional and ethical manner, with a flexible, positive attitude to work.
B3:
Demonstrates a strong work ethic, takes pride in own work, pays attention to detail, and acts with integrity.
B4:
Ability to use own initiative and is aware of limits of responsibility.
B5:
A willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional development.
B6:
Act in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers.
B7:
Team focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.
B8:
Committed to keeping up with technological advancements, industry developments and best practice.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0018: Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0018B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £24,037 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5112 Horticultural trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5112/00 Horticultural trades
- 5111/01 Agricultural contractors
