Key information

  1. Reference: ST0018
  2. Date updated: 07/02/2025
  3. Level: 3
  4. Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
  5. Regulated occupation: No

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Occupation summary

This occupation is found in a diverse range of businesses, spanning from small enterprises to international organisations. 

Crop* Technicians in the agriculture and horticulture industries serve as the foundation for both food production, viticulture and landscaping.  

Their work encompasses various environments, including soil-based systems and container-based systems. 

In soil-based systems, crop technicians are likely to operate large, technically advanced machinery in open fields.  

Crop technicians working in container-based systems may spend some time outside, but the majority of their work occurs in controlled environments. These environments require constant monitoring and adaptation to suit the growth stage and species being cultivated. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to optimise crop and plant yields through establishment, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.  

They stay up to date with technological advances and may specialise in either soil-based or container-based systems. Soil-based systems involve growing crops in fields, adapting to weather conditions, while container-based systems are managed environments used for horticulture and tree growth. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the crops they manage. They monitor growth stages, assess health, and address any issues, such as pests or diseases. 

They will work with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate tasks, share insights, and work together to achieve optimal crop yields. 

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring high-quality sustainable crop production. 

Crop technicians will work independently and as part of a team. They need to be self-motivated to complete tasks. 

Some routine tasks are automated, requiring technical skills to operate machinery. 

They are typically responsible for the efficient use of  natural resources such as soil and water. They will also manage plant nutrients and adapt their approach to changing weather conditions and environments.  

Crop technicians adopt sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact and adhere to safety protocols when operating machinery or handling chemicals. 

*Crop is used as a generic term for what is being grown. For the purpose of this standard, crop could be arable, vegetable, fruit, ornamental or landscape plants, vines and grapes. 

Core occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Promote and maintain health, safety, hygiene and site security across productive and non-productive areas of the site.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K12 K19

S1 S2 S3 S6 S12 S13 S25 S26 S28

B1 B2 B3 B4 B7 B8

Duty 2 Manage digital or paper-based record keeping including crop quality related data, chemical, productivity and legislated financial records.

K3 K4 K9 K13 K19

S1 S2 S6 S7 S10 S25 S26 S28

B1 B2 B3 B4 B8

Duty 3 Manage the end-to-end crop production process to ensure compliance with current environmental legislation and ensure economic sustainability.

K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K15 K16 K19

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S25 S26 S27 S28

B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8

Duty 4 Operate and carry out maintenance on machinery, equipment or technology.

K1 K2 K3 K5 K10 K16 K19

S3 S6 S8 S10 S11 S25 S26

B1 B4 B8

Duty 5 Operate and maintain vehicles appropriate to the organisation in line with certified requirements where applicable. For example, telehandler, electric vehicle, all terrain vehicle or forklift.

K1 K2 K5 K19

S3 S6 S9 S10 S25 S26

B1 B4 B5 B8

Duty 6 Plan and carry out the end-to-end crop development cycle from receipt, establishment and growth through to harvest and dispatch in accordance with the customer specification and the environment

K4 K6 K7 K8 K13 K14 K19

S4 S12 S14 S15 S25 S26 S27 S28

B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8

Duty 7 Identify the likely pests, weeds and diseases and create an integrated pest management plan for treatment and storage of relevant materials, chemicals and biological agents.

K1 K2 K3 K5 K6 K10 K11 K13 K19

S2 S7 S25 S26

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7 B8

Duty 8 Apply nutrients and irrigation as required by the crop taking in account plant requirements and changes in conditions.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K14 K19

S3 S5 S6 S8 S12 S14 S15 S16 S25 S26

B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8

Duty 9 Plan and carry out the harvesting/dispatch operation using appropriate techniques to match crops requirements for condition and quality.

K1 K2 K3 K6 K9 K11 K13 K14 K19

S1 S2 S3 S6 S10 S11 S12 S25 S26

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8

Duty 10 Plan storage and movement ensuring that crop quality is maintained

K1 K2 K3 K6 K12 K13 K14 K19

S1 S6 S10 S11 S12 S13 S25 S26

B1 B2 B3 B4 B6 B7 B8

Option duties

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core) Back to Duty

K2: Risk identification and mitigation techniques for risk assessments relevant to own organisational policies and procedures. (Core) Back to Duty

K3: Workplace specific health and safety processes and procedures to ensure everyone is safe in the workplace. (Core) Back to Duty

K4: Environmental issues, legislation, codes of practice and company policies. (Core) Back to Duty

K5: Methods to maintain paper or electronic records in accordance with legislation. (Core) Back to Duty

K6: Policies, procedures, guidance and legislation related to the safe setup, operation, maintenance and storage of machinery, equipment, tools. (Core) Back to Duty

K7: Preparation methods, timing of activities, aftercare and monitoring requirements for the crops grown on-site. (Core) Back to Duty

K8: Crop identification and establishment process including principles and methods. (Core) Back to Duty

K9: Principles of plant growth, development and plant health. (Core) Back to Duty

K10: Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on financial resilience and sustainability. (Core) Back to Duty

K11: Principles for developing and implementing an integrated pest management plan. (Core) Back to Duty

K12: The relationship between soil types, environmental conditions, plant protection methods and crop growth. (Core) Back to Duty

K13: The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste in line with company procedures, national regulations and legislation such as COSHH. (Core) Back to Duty

K14: Quality standards and specifications relevant to their business and their importance. (Core) Back to Duty

K15: Principles of environmental sustainability. (Core) Back to Duty

K16: Emergency response and first aid protocols and procedures. (Core) Back to Duty

K17: The impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage it can cause and the associated legislation to consider. (Soil based) Back to Duty

K18: Different growing mediums and their impact and relevance to crop production on site. (Container based) Back to Duty

K19: Methods to identify and undertake learning and continuing professional development opportunities. (Core) Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core) Back to Duty

S2: Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core) Back to Duty

S3: Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core) Back to Duty

S4: Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core) Back to Duty

S5: Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core) Back to Duty

S6: Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core) Back to Duty

S7: Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management.  (Core) Back to Duty

S8: Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core) Back to Duty

S9: Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core) Back to Duty

S10: Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core) Back to Duty

S11: Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core) Back to Duty

S12: Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core) Back to Duty

S13: Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core) Back to Duty

S14: Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core) Back to Duty

S15: Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core) Back to Duty

S16: Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core) Back to Duty

S17: Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based) Back to Duty

S18: Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based) Back to Duty

S19: Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based) Back to Duty

S20: Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based) Back to Duty

S21: Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based) Back to Duty

S22: Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based) Back to Duty

S23: Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based) Back to Duty

S24: Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based) Back to Duty

S25: Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core) Back to Duty

S26: Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core) Back to Duty

S27: Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)  Back to Duty

S28: Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core) Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Promote and adopt a safety culture and apply proactively for self, colleagues and visitors.  Back to Duty

B2: Act in a professional and ethical manner, with a flexible, positive attitude to work.   Back to Duty

B3: Demonstrates a strong work ethic, takes pride in own work, pays attention to detail, and acts with integrity.   Back to Duty

B4: Ability to use own initiative and is aware of limits of responsibility.   Back to Duty

B5: A willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional development.  Back to Duty

B6: Act in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers.   Back to Duty

B7: Team focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.   Back to Duty

B8: Committed to keeping up with technological advancements, industry developments and best practice.   Back to Duty

T Level in agriculture, Land Management and Production

Qualification type: T Level

Qualification level: 3

Awarding organisation: City & Guilds

Approval date: 01/06/2023

Available from: 01/09/2023

Occupational specialism: Crop and Plant production

Product page

Aligned occupational standards

ST0018 Crop technician

Options: Container Based System , Soil Based System

ST0018 Crop technician


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