Land-based Industries

So, what's it all about?

The land-based and environmental industries play a key role in both the national and global economies. In the UK alone, the sector is worth more than £8.9 billion per year, and employs over a million employees and 500,000 volunteers. It’s a profitable sector, but that’s only part of it – this industry improves quality of life here in the UK by supplying us with food, producing crops, enriching the rural and urban environment, and protecting our natural heritage.

Land-based and environmental industries can be broken down into three major categories: land management and production, animal health and welfare, and environmental industries. There are a wide variety of jobs in the sector, and most of them are practical, requiring physical effort and work outdoors.

People you will find in the field include general farm workers, gardeners, fencing contractors, tree surgeons and gamekeepers. There are also creative occupations available, such as floristry; as well as caring jobs that include working for animal welfare charities, as a veterinary nurse, or at a kennel or cattery. In addition, there are more technical roles on offer, such as land-based engineering, and many management opportunities.

The Apprenticeships in this section cover 17 different disciplines, from land-based engineering to veterinary nursing. Each of these industries offers the chance to develop skills in practical, technical and specialised areas with opportunities for career progression. And if you’ve always wanted to run your own business, then this could be a good place to start – today, more than half the people in the workforce runs their own business.

What qualities do I need?

enjoy working outside
be physically fit and strong
work without supervision
care about the environment
understand and care for animals
be practical and good at problem-solving
have a good knowledge of biology
use machinery safely

Apprenticeships in this sector

These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.

So, what's it all about?

What qualities do I need?

Agricultural crops and livestock

Amenity horticulture

Animal care

Dry stone walling

Environmental conservation

Equine

Farriery

Gamekeeping and wildlife management

Land-based service engineering

Fence installation

Floristry

Production horticulture

Saddlery

Trees and timber

Veterinary nursing

Major employers

More info

Further reading