Dairy Apprentice in Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Summary

Join a dedicated organic dairy farm near Tunbridge Wells, caring for 200+ cows and their followers across 400+ acres. Gain hands-on experience with spring and autumn calving, grazing, and rearing around 100 replacement heifers each year. A fantastic opportunity to build practical livestock skills.

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Salary may be negotiated further dependant on ability. 

Training course

Livestock unit technician (level 3)

Hours

Predominantly weekdays with some weekend work required during busy periods. Overtime may be required during busy periods as well.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 19 October 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Day to day tasks will vary, but will including: 

• Daily routines of the dairy herd
• Bedding up
• Calf feeding herd health
• Possible tractor work

Where you'll work

3 LITTLE BAYHALL FARM COTTAGES
HIGH WOODS LANE
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
TN3 9AA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Training course

Livestock unit technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
• Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
• Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
• Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
• Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
• Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
• Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
• Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
• Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
• Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
• Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
• Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork
• Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
• Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
• Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
• Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
• Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
• Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
• Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
• Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
• Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
• Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
• Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
• Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork

Training schedule

The apprentice will learn in person and attend college in-person once every two weeks.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Physical fitness
• Reliability
• Keen to learn

Other requirements

Due to the location of the farm, having access to your own vehicle would be beneficial. Additionally, being comfortable working outside all year round is essential.