Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Agricultural Engineering

This qualification covers all of the skills, knowledge and understanding required to enter employment in the land-based engineering industry. You will study a wide range of areas that include health and safety, calculations for service engineering and workshop processes. You will learn how to repair engines, vehicle systems, electric systems and hydraulic systems, test electronic systems. In addition you will learn how to repair mechanical power transmission systems, synchromesh transmissions and clutches, powershift transmissions and hydrostatic or hydro-mechanical (CVT) transmissions. You will also learn how to repair cultivation or drilling machinery, application machinery, forage harvesting machinery and combinable or root crop harvesting machinery as well as precision farming techniques eg. guidance systems, mapping and telematics.

Using innovative and up-to-date technology, covering both agricultural and plant machinery, you will develop your skills and experience to become :
Land Based Engineer
Machinery Operator
Contractor
Tractor Driver
Demonstrator
Fixed Plant Manager
Sprayer Operator
Machinery Technician
Farm Mechanic
Machinery Operator

These are taught mainly through practical sessions in our sector leading workshop using the latest diagnostic equipment and machinery, tractor operation and field work, classroom activities, visits and guest speakers. Our National partnerships with leading agricultural machinery manufacturers such as AGCO, Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra, Kubota and Kverneland to name a few, enables the course to have access to new and emerging technology and machinery.

The course will be delivered through our purpose built Agricultural Teaching Centre, visits to industry shows and competitions lectures, guest speakers and demonstrations from industry specialists as well as making full use of our diverse commercial working farm, consisting of 400Ha with a large dairy herd, beef and sheep units and academy, and a range of woodland and forestry.

You will also need to undertake work placements throughout the course within a relevant Land-based business. These invaluable placements are integral to the course allowing you to further develop your skills, as well as establish links within industry, helping to strengthen your future employment prospects. You may also have the opportunity to travel to Europe to further your experience.

Educational trips are an important part of the course, where assessment and activities will take place.

Legislative qualifications and skills could include first aid, tractor driving, construction vehicles, telescopic handler, abrasive wheels, pesticide spraying, ATVs, numeracy, literacy and ICT skills.