What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are paid jobs that combine on and off the job training and, on successful completion of a course award, are a nationally recognised qualification.
Apprenticeship schemes are available across all occupation pathways.
In 2024/25 there were 761,480 people participating in an apprenticeship in England, up by 3.4% from the previous year, with 353,500 apprenticeship starts and 198,330 apprenticeship achievements.
Apprenticeships can be studied at different levels:
| Name | Level | Equivalent education level |
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A Level passes |
| Higher | 4,5,6, and 7 | Foundation degree and above |
Farming and horticulture apprenticeships
Apprenticeships at levels 2, 3 and 4 are available covering general farm worker, crop and horticulture production, livestock production, poultry production and assistant farm manager.
| Apprenticeship type | Level |
| General farm worker | 2 |
| Poultry worker | 2 |
| Crop technician | 3 |
| Livestock technician | 3 |
| Assistant farm manager | 4 |
How many apprentices are there?
Arguably, there are not enough people to meet the employment needs of farmers, growers and producers with only 0.3% of the workforce entering the industry in 2025 on apprenticeship programmes.
Apprenticeship starts: 2019 – 2025
| Apprenticeship | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
| General farm worker | 0 | 0 | 50 | 330 | 380 | 380 |
| Poultry worker | 50 | 50 | 80 | 100 | 140 | 80 |
| Crop technician | 70 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 120 |
| Livestock technician | 0 | 0 | 70 | 100 | 120 | 150 |
| Assistant farm manager | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
Further information on apprenticeships in agriculture and horticulture can be found below:
- The Apprenticeship website gives an overview on hiring an apprentice.
- Information is available on the Department for Education’s website.
- TIAH (The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture) is a good source of information for employers, new entrants and parents.
