Agricultural engineering technician
Agricultural engineering technicians maintain, service and repair machinery and equipment used in land-based industries.
Also known as: Agricultural service engineer, land-based engineering technician
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£38,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As an agricultural engineering technician, you could:
- carry out scheduled maintenance and repairs on site or in a workshop
- respond to breakdown call-outs
- use diagnostic tools to find and fix faults
- install and demonstrate new and used machinery for customers
- complete maintenance records for each job
- mentor trainee technicians
- work with agricultural engineers to develop new products
Working environment
You could work in an office, in a workshop or on a farm.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- design skills and knowledge
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- complex problem-solving skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a 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 higher national diploma:
- agricultural engineering
- agricultural technology
- mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
College
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to find a trainee engineering technician role.
Courses include:
- agricultural engineering
- land-based technology
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply for a place on a Land-Based Engineer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This could be with an equipment manufacturer, service and repair company or agricultural college.
These take around 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
You might be able to apply directly for jobs if you've got a qualification and experience in land-based engineering or servicing heavy plant vehicles and equipment.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- become a senior technician or workshop manager
- take further training to qualify as an agricultural engineer
- move into equipment sales, business management or inspection
- work as a self-employed engineering contractor
- move into training, with a service and repair company, equipment manufacturer or agricultural college
Career tips
As well as working on farm machinery, technicians service and repair equipment used in:
- forestry
- landscaping and leisure amenities
- horticultural production
You may be expected to work longer hours during peak farming times.
Guides for this industry
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