Apprenticeships: At a glance

Agricultural apprenticeship numbers have doubled in England over the past three years but more employers are needed if this trend is to continue.

They can be tailored to your business and can be more flexible than people think – you can even share an apprentice with another farm.

Apprenticeships: Key points

• Apprentices work four days a week on the farm and go to agricultural college the remaining day

• The framework apprentices follow fits around your business and assessment takes place on farm

• The National Minimum Wage for agricultural apprentices is £3.57 per hour, nearly £1 more than the minimum wage for other types of apprentice

• A grant of up to £1,500 is now available to help cover the apprentice wages

• Agricultural apprenticeships tend to last 18 months as apprentices need to have a minimum of 530 guided learning hours throughout the course

• Just like any other employee, they should be given at least 20 days’ paid holiday per year as well as bank holidays and are entitled to 52 weeks’ maternity leave, with statutory Maternity Pay of up to 39 weeks

Read the full feature including case studies ‘So you want to take on a farm apprentice’.

Read and comment on our forum ‘Are apprentiships any good’.