Grade 1: Initial Grade

As rule, a grade 1 worker has supervision. The work tends to be ‘relatively’ simple tasks.

These can include helping with the harvest, mucking out a horse livery, or packing goods for sale.

After working for the same employer for 30 weeks you then have the right to get trained to grade 2 level. The 30 weeks must be continuous employment and not accumulated over a few years.

Grade 2: Standard Worker

You can get an automatic grading to agricultural worker grade 2. To do so, you would need to have one of the following qualifications:

• A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 or equivalent.
• Certificate of Competence for the relevant agricultural sector.

A grade 2 farm worker is also someone who:

• Works directly with livestock and unsupervised for most of the time
• Is trained to use powered machinery and certified to drive tractors.

Grade 3: Lead Worker

As a rule, agricultural worker grade 3 means you have completed two of the last five years in agriculture. Grade 3 workers will have either of the following qualifications:

• A National Certificate in agriculture or horticulture.
• At least four Certificates of Competency or non-accredited competencies in the agriculture sector you’re employed in.

Someone with a job grade 3 will also:

• Manage a team – but is not empowered to discipline team members.
• Be viewed as a grade 3 team leader by their employer. To do so you must complete a trial period not exceeding one month.

Grade 4: Craft Grade

A grade 4 worker is someone with either of the following qualifications:

• A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 or equivalent.
• At least 8 Certificates of Competency or non-accredited competencies in the agriculture sector you’re employed in.

A grade 4 worker is also someone who has:

• Attained the required qualification and has 12 months’ continuous employment with the same employer.
• Worked for at least 2 years of the last 5 years in agriculture.

Grade 5: Supervisory Grade

The responsibilities of a grade 5 worker are either:

• Supervising work on a daily basis in an agricultural work environment (e.g. a farming business).
• Instructing, disciplining, and supervising other staff members.

Grade 6: Farm Management Grade

Grade 6 workers’ responsibilities include:

• General farm management and all its associated responsibilities. This may only be part of a farm if there are separate businesses on the farm – such as a livery yard.
• Employing, disciplining, and dismissing other staff members.

Flexible Workers

A flexible worker needs to have written ‘flexible working agreement‘. The definition of a full-time flexible worker is one who:

• Works a basic 39 hour week. Note that the hours worked do not need to be the same each day.
• Works set hours on set days. These can only get changed with the employee’s agreement.
• Works on a Sunday when required.

The definition of a part-time flexible worker is one who:

• Works less than a basic 39 hour week. Note that the hours worked do not need to be the same each day.
• Works set hours on set days. These can only get changed with the employee’s agreement.

Trainees

The definition of trainee is one who is part of:

• A Business, Innovation and Skills-approved training scheme completing work experience.
• The Diploma in Environmental and Land-Based Studies for 14 to 19-year-olds on work experience.
• The second phase of the European Leonardo da Vinci Program.

Note: The Leonardo da Vinci programme is a European Commission funding programme. It focuses on the teaching and training needs of those involved in vocational education and training (VET).

Apprentices

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job along with some studying. An apprentice will:

• Work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills.
• Earn a wage and get holiday pay.
• Get time for study related to their role (usually one day a week).