Land-based service engineering technician

Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST0243
  3. Version: 1.2
  4. Level: 3
  5. Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 6 months
  7. Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
  8. Integration: None
  9. Maximum funding: £15000
  10. Date updated: 14/07/2025
  11. Approved for delivery: 23 December 2015
  12. Lars code: 70
  13. EQA provider: Ofqual
  14. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Contents

Contents

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Providing advanced technical support and guidance across a diverse range of plant and equipment in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry and outdoor power.

Occupation summary

This occupation is typically found in the agricultural, horticultural, forestry, amenities and outdoor power sectors.

A land-based engineering technician may work in the employer’s workplace or on site from a fully equipped service vehicle. They are required to work flexible working hours as dictated by seasonal requirements.

The technician acts as an ambassador for the employer’s business and the products represented, utilising their own initiative in a customer facing role.

Businesses employing land-based engineering technicians deliver technical support to their end user customers, dealership networks or own manufacturing activities.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the customer by conducting installation, setup, maintenance, diagnostic and the repair of land-based equipment throughout its end to end operating lifecycle.

They will conduct inspections and consultations and compile condition reports.  They diagnose and repair complex faults in prime movers, machinery, and equipment, prepare repair proposals and implement timely and cost-effective repairs.

The land-based engineering technician will verify the performance of prime movers, machinery and equipment against the manufacturer’s specification and customers’ expectations.

They understand the interrelationship of machines and the interface between machine, biological systems and the influence of the crop condition and working environment on optimum performance and operating expense.

They perform a multi-disciplinary role requiring a diverse blend of diagnostic activities and logical thought processes relating to mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic and autonomous and automated land-based machinery and equipment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external customers. This may include colleagues, suppliers, manufacturers, business to business customers and the public. They will embrace equality, diversity and inclusion. 

They will typically report to a line manager.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing work to specification and quality requirements, on schedule and without immediate supervision.

Land-based service engineering technicians are responsible for managing the outcome of their assigned tasks. 

They need to consider the land-based environment and conditions in which they operate along with health and safety and the implications of lone working.

Technicians are often called upon to supervise and mentor junior colleagues and dispense advice to customers regarding machinery selection and the application of technologically advanced products.

 

Typical job titles include:

Agricultural machinery service technician Agricultural service technician Field service technician Forestry service engineering technician Golf and turf service technician Grounds care service technician Horticultural service engineering technician Land-based service engineering technician Milking system technician

End-point assessment summary

ST0243, Land-based service engineering technician level 3

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 6 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • merit
  • distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods


Short and long written test

You will complete a test requiring long and short written answers. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.

The test will have 18 long and short response written questions. You will have 70 minutes to complete it.


Practical assessment with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 4.5 hours. They will ask you at least 6 questions.


Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.

Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.


Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)

Please contact the professional body for more details.

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Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.2 Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised 01/05/2025 Not set
1.1 Standard, funding band and end-point assessment plan revised 10/05/2018 30/04/2025
1.0 Retired 23/12/2015 09/05/2018
Employers involved in creating the standard: AGCO Ltd, Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), B & B Tractors Ltd, British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA), Case New Holland, CLAAS UK Ltd, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, Grimme UK Ltd, Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), John Deere, Makita UK Ltd, Russell's Agriculture, T H White Ltd. Other organisations involved: IMI, LANTRA, Myerscough College, ProVQ Ltd, Reaseheath College.

Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

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