Agricultural engineering technician
Engineering and Maintenance

How to become an agricultural engineering technician

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in:

• agricultural engineering
• agricultural machinery engineering
• agricultural technology

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can do a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology or Land-Based Engineering at an agricultural college.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a land-based service engineering technician advanced apprenticeship. You can do this with an equipment manufacturer, service and repair contractor or at an agricultural college.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Direct application

You may be able to apply to vacancies directly if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant equipment.

More info

Further information You can find more details about land-based careers and courses through the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and the Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of physics
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day to day

Depending on your role, your day-to-day duties may include:

• helping agricultural engineers develop new products
• creating equipment plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
• making parts and building machinery
• testing the machinery's electrical and mechanical systems
• carrying out maintenance checks on mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• installing machinery on site
• inspecting, removing, replacing and testing equipment
• researching machinery developments and market trends
• demonstrating and selling new equipment and parts
• dealing with enquiries and orders

Working environment

You could work in an office, in a workshop or in a factory. Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, knowledge and industry contacts, you could become self-employed. You could become a senior technician or workshop manager, or progress to a senior sales or management position. You could also move into a training job as a college lecturer or technician, or take on an inspection role.