Career Prospects

A world of exciting career opportunities

Few industries offer such a diverse and rewarding range of careers. Agriculture and Horticulture careers brings together cutting-edge technology, environmental protection, and animal welfare, creating roles that truly make a difference.

With opportunities spanning countless specialisms, there’s a place for everyone. Whether you’re new to the sector or bringing years of experience, and whatever your background or qualifications, you’ll find a career path that can grow with you.

Job Profiles

Agronomist

An agronomist’s role is to advise the farmer on the scientific aspects of growing crops and managing soils to ensure maximum productivity and help protect the environment. Also known as an agriculturalist (crops), crop scientist, crop director, agricultural consultant, agron...

Crop technician

A crop technician is responsible for using the advanced and innovative technologies available to optimise agricultural and horticultural crop yields on farms. Also known as cereals technician, agriculture technician (arable), horticultural operative, arable technician, arabl...

Farm manager (crops)

The farm manager is responsible for producing crops successfully in a sustainable farm business that promotes good environmental practice. Also known as agricultural manager, arable manager, farmer, farm foreman, or crop manager.

Farm secretary

The farm secretary plays an important role on the farm. Responsibilities can include maintaining financial records, managing staff records and payroll, the maintenance of health and safety records, livestock registrations and movements, cropping records, and, in more advance...

Farm worker

Farm workers carry out a range of tasks to support the productivity and environmental management of operations on a wide range of farms. Also known as farm assistant, general farm worker or farm technician.

Genetic consultant

A genetic consultant uses the application of genetic technologies, such as optimising breeding strategies and enhancing desirable characteristics, to improve animal and plant traits in agriculture. Also known as a genetics adviser or breeding consultant.

Growing manager (horticulture)

The growing manager is responsible for the successful production of crops in a sustainable farm business which promotes good environmental practice. Also known as horticulture growing manager or crop production manager.

Harvest operations manager

A harvest operations manager is responsible for harvesting and storing crops. They also help run a sustainable farm business that meets high environmental standards. Also known as operations manager, harvest manager, agricultural manager or arable manager.

Horticultural production operative (vertical farming)

A vertical horticultural production operative uses cutting-edge technology to produce crops to a high standard in a protected (indoor) environment. Also known as vertical farming production operative, vertical horticulture production worker, assistant grower (vertical farmin...

Irrigation assistant

The irrigation assistant is responsible for ensuring all crops/plants on the site are adequately watered, and all the associated equipment is correctly maintained. Also known as a horticultural assistant, glasshouse worker, technician, or irrigation operative.

Rural banking manager (agribusiness and finance sector)

A rural banking manager is responsible for overseeing financial operations related to the agricultural sector. This role involves offering financial support to farmers and agribusinesses, as well as evaluating loan applications and ensuring compliance with banking regulation...

Soil scientist

A soil scientist works in the laboratory and in the field to study the physical properties of soil, as well as its chemical and biological makeup, evaluating data to inform land use and land management decisions and to help land users choose practices that are good for agric...

Sprayer operator

A sprayer operator applies crop protection products safely and correctly to different crops. Also known as arable operator, crop sprayer, pesticide sprayer, plant protection operator, sprayer operative, or farm machinery operator.

Tractor driver

A tractor driver safely operates and maintains farm tractors and other farm machinery to carry out various farm activities. Also known as agricultural machinery operator, farm machinery operator, tractor operator or tractor operative.