Stockperson (beef, pigs, sheep, dairy)
Reference Number: ST0017
Details of standard
With over 150,000 businesses, the agriculture industry offers exciting and varied careers in the UK and abroad. The industry provides unique opportunities for young people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment, producing one of the country’s most important products – food which accounts for 14% of the British GDP. Businesses within the industry range from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain. The key role for a Stockperson is to raise the animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of their life. This is practical work involving a combination of technology and manual labour. Being a stockperson requires compassion, self-motivation and the ability to work in a team and independently.
A stockperson will be responsible for their own work, but will have close supervision. As animal welfare is a priority on farm, key to being a good stockperson is understanding your limits and knowing when to ask for help. Working with live animals presents a range of challenges to overcome and ensures no two days will be the same. This standard follows a ‘core and options’ approach. The core covers the generic requirements for looking after animals competently and the sector options provide more specific needs for different livestock. One option will be taken in addition to the core skills to complete this apprenticeship, which provides a solid foundation for a range of progression opportunities within the industry.
| Skills | Core Skills |
| Overarching |
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| Health, biosecurity and welfare |
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| Vehicle operation |
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| Nutrition |
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| Handling and moving |
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| Breeding/ replacement |
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Additional skills for sector option* |
| Pigs |
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| Dairy |
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| Beef |
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| Sheep |
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Knowledge Required
- Health and safety legislation, and codes of practice in relation to the job role/ workplace including contingency/emergency plans
- Practical health and safety information to ensure everyone is safe in the workplace
- Safe operation of a relevant farm vehicle
- Relevant animal welfare codes of practice (including five freedoms), legislation and company policies
- Importance of relevant record keeping systems and storage
- Awareness of input costs, cost of production and margins
- Awareness of key performance indicators (farm and industry averages)
- High standards of hygiene and biosecurity
- Signs of ill health and welfare issues and the action required to mitigate (including referrals where appropriate)
- Safe use of veterinary medicines, including the importance of correct dosage / application of antibiotics and anthelmintics
- Breed differences and characteristics
- Environmental needs of the animals including housing and accommodation and the impact of any change
- Correct feed and water for relevant livestock and growth stage
- Production cycle of livestock
- Correct procedures for breeding, feeding, handling, selection, moving and transporting of livestock to include appreciation of animal needs and behaviours in a variety of circumstances
- Impact of stockpersons behaviour on livestock
- Security procedures for the unit
- Safe and effective maintenance of equipment
- Importance of good environmental practice
- Procedures for maintaining sufficient stocks
- How technology can assist business efficiency
- Customers’ and assurance scheme requirements
- Supply chains in which they are working
Behaviours
A stockperson need to develop a diverse set of personal skills and behaviours to ensure success in their chosen profession. These include:
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Strong work ethic |
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| Adaptability |
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| Effective communicator |
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| Team working |
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| Safety awareness |
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Further Information
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Entry requirements |
There are no previous qualifications required to start, but you must have the attitude and ability to develop the required skills and knowledge during the apprenticeship. This will usually be tested via an application/interview process. |
| Progression | On completion of the apprenticeship, suitably able candidates will be able to progress to supervisory/management level positions within the industry. |
| Level | Level 2 |
| Duration | Typically 18 months |
| Alternative job titles | This standard covers a role which may have other names e.g. Livestock Technician, Assisting Stockperson. |
| Qualifications/ Certificates |
Level 2 Awards in:
On completion of the pesticides foundation unit above also choose one of the following units:
Aprentices without Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve these prior to taking the end point assessment. |
| Review date | 2 years from implementation date |
*(One sector option to be taken in addition to the core skills)
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