Agriculture Courses
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Whether you are considering a future working in arable farming or with livestock, a Derby College agriculture course can help you fulfill your ambitions.
Agriculture industry
The agriculture sector is professional, highly technical and innovative. And, because the current workforce is ageing, the industry will be looking to recruit 52,000 more people in the next decade.
Contributing £3.6 billion to the UK economy, the arable industry varies enormously. It covers not only food groups but also bio-fuels, crops for paper and pharmaceuticals, and even specialist oils like lavender. There's an increasing focus on managing the land in an environment-friendly way too.
In the East Midlands, agricultural firms make up 44 per cent of all those businesses coming under the banner of the land-based and environmental sector - and employ over 28,000 people.
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Agriculture careers
A course at Derby College will quickly dispel any myths that agriculture careers are all about wellies and straw.
Career opportunities are available in the food and crop production sector, as well as equally diverse agricultural livestock industry.
You could find yourself working in areas such as dairy, beef, sheep, pigs or poultry farming – or branching out into specialist fields like animal health and nutrition.
With a Derby College qualification, you will be able to progress further – and faster – in your agricultural career.
You will gain essential skills and knowledge in everything from tractor and machinery operation to livestock nutrition, along with the broader personal qualities that the industry demands.
Other career roles associated with agriculture - such as research and sales - which help ensure the best produce reaches the supermarket shelves could also be a possibility.
Agriculture courses
While it's one of the oldest industries of all, agriculture is undergoing rapid change. A Derby College agriculture course will keep you up-to-date with new technology and the latest farming methods.
Our agriculture courses focus on practical hands-on activities, including invaluable work experience. You'll play a crucial part in running our own farm on the Broomfield Hall campus too.
All agriculture teaching staff boast extensive experience of many aspects of farming and will bring their expert skills to your learning experience.
Agriculture apprenticeships are also available
Agriculture at Derby College
Broomfield Hall is the perfect environment for anyone interested in agriculture. The working farmland estate spans almost 450 acres. Produce from the farm is sold at The Food Hub.
Our wide range of farm livestock includes many rare breeds while the machinery used by our students is industry-standard. Work experience on the College farm is rewarding, challenging and a real glimpse of what the profession involves.
As well as the thrill of working in the great outdoors, you'll have access to our first-class learning resource centre with state-of-the-art technology.
I had originally planned to do A-levels but when I saw this apprenticeship advertised I thought I would have a go. I didn't know anything about farming life before coming here but I never want to work in any other industry now. I love working with the livestock and machinery and I hope that the qualifications I gain as part of the apprenticeship will help me get a job after the apprenticeship finishes.
