This apprenticeship is in the process of being revised or adjusted. In the meantime, the version below remains approved for delivery. Further details of this and other apprenticeships being revised or adjusted are available in the revisions and adjustments status report.
A temporary dispensation has been applied to the assessment plan version ST0389/AP01 for this apprenticeship. The dispensation starts from Dec 5th, 2022 and will run until the revised EPA plan is published. However, it may be withdrawn if the assessment plan is revised sooner or the dispensation is no longer necessary.
End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) delivering EPAs for the apprenticeship will implement the dispensation as required, supported and monitored by the relevant EQA provider.
This dispensation will replace the Observational Practical Assessment (OPA) with an extended question and answer (Q&A) session informed by specific video and photographic evidence to set requirements. All EPAOs must deliver the assessment according to the dispensation to support comparability for learners.
The video evidence must be comprised of 2 set tasks that target a range of KSBs that are mapped to the OPA. Each task will require video evidence (up to a maximum of 15 minutes each) and should be captured in the workplace or other suitable environment. The tasks may be simulated where required (e.g. to support seasonal availability) though examples of genuine real-world activities that align with the evidence requirements are preferred where possible. The photographic evidence will support the video evidence by capturing other areas of performance against the KSBs not covered by the 2 main tasks. The quantity of images will vary depending on the nature of the KSBs being captured. The EPAO must provide clear details of the requirements for each type of evidence (both video and photographic) that the apprentice must capture.
Both the video and photographic evidence must be obtained post-gateway (to avoid any crossover with the portfolio of evidence). All evidence must be submitted to the EPAO 10 days prior to the Q&A session taking place in order to allow appropriate questions to be generated/ selected by the EPAO/ assessor. The video and photographic evidence will be reviewed by both the apprentice and assessor during the Q&A session. The main focus of assessment is the responses (supported by reference to the required evidence) offered by the apprentice during the Q&A session. The Q&A session will be a maximum of 2 hours (inclusive of reviewing all evidence such as playing the video evidence). The Q&A session may take place remotely.
Farming birds for their eggs or meat.
The agriculture industry offers exciting and varied careers in the UK and abroad providing unique opportunities for young people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment, producing one of the country’s most important products – food. Businesses within the industry range from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain. The key role for a poultry worker is to raise the animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of their life. This is practical work involving a combination of technology and manual labour. Being a poultry worker requires compassion, self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player. Poultry workers will be responsible for their own work, but will have close supervision. As animal welfare is a priority on farm, key to being a good poultry worker is understanding your limits and knowing when to ask for help. A poultry worker is responsible for supporting the bird development process, maintaining bird accommodation and preparing and monitoring the livestock production environment whether this is on a farm or in a hatchery. This will include ensuring they are looked after to meet health and welfare requirements as well as performance targets while maintaining effective biosecurity at site. This standard follows a ‘core and options’ approach. The core covers the generic requirements for looking after birds competently and the sector options provide more specific needs for different stages of the process, rearing, breeding and egg laying, hatchery and grow out farms. These are permanent stages in the process and not seasonal roles. To complete the standard a Poultry Worker should complete the core elements and one option.
One option will be taken in addition to the core knowledge, skills and behaviours.
The statements in a, b and c below describe the essential core knowledge, skills and behaviours of a poultry worker. Poultry workers will possess the following CORE knowledge of the:
Health & Safety
Works in a safe manner and maintains a safe working environment. Carries out the relevant site procedures and report incidents/unsafe conditions.
Biosecurity
Implements and monitors site biosecurity rules and procedures. Implements corrective actions when required. Applies site security rules.
Hygiene and food safety
Implements site & personal hygiene procedures, including relevant rules for entering & leaving site. Maintains a clean environment in line with agreed standards for the facility.
Bird Handling
Prepares facilities for arrival/ departure of birds Moves and transports birds safely, effectively and compassionately without undue stress. Applies and uses appropriate manual handling techniques.
Welfare
Monitors and maintains the health of the bird/egg. Diagnoses bird/egg condition and acts appropriately.
Environment
Operates environmental control systems in line with instruction/ procedure (as relevant for the species, point in life cycle).
Operations
Maintains and operates equipment e.g. ventilation, feeding equipment, drinking equipment, incubators, nest boxes’ (relevant to age/breed/bird requirement) safely and effectively. Utilises technology and systems appropriate to the operation. (some examples may include computerised shed environmental management equipment, hatchery processing equipment, environmental testing equipment, egg grading and packing equipment) Conducts appropriate checks in a timely manner, and maintains/updates/keeps records as relevant. Monitors and reports performance metrics for operations.
Standards
Adheres to and applies welfare codes of practice including the 5 freedoms (as described in knowledge) Applies and acts on business/industry and legislative requirements including industry assurance standards relevant to the operation.
People
Communicates effectively in the appropriate environment. Uses reading, writing and numeracy skills in carrying out roles and tasks. Uses problem solving skills in carrying out roles and tasks. Interacts effectively with colleagues, managers and site visitors.
Poultry workers generally work in rearing, breeding, egg production, hatching or bird grow out unit. Depending on the route they take, poultry workers will need to supplement their CORE standard programme by demonstrating a minimum range of specialist knowledge and skills from one of the following options.
| Knowledge and understanding of | Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| Rearing |
Equipment (e.g. brooders / heaters, feeders, drinkers, lights’), resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision required for brooding birds How birds should be handled and placed in their new environment The growth targets required for organisational purposes. The condition / physical characteristics of males suitable and unsuitable for breeding Basic principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration |
Brooding Procedures – assist with preparing necessary equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds. Prepare / provide appropriate feed and water Handle birds in the appropriate manner and place in correct area / quantities Assisting with rearing birds to suitable / target weight and condition for breeding – assess, according to instruction, that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements Assisting with selection of suitable males for breeding - correctly identify males suitable and unsuitable for breeding Assist with preparing and administering vaccine – follow instructions precisely and correctly when assisting with administering a treatment |
| Breeding |
Production targets for the appropriate breed / species The appropriate conditions and resources necessary to bring birds into lay. The correct dosage and quality of semen used for artificial insemination and frequency required to maximise fertility where relevant to species |
Assist with bringing birds into lay – accurately and correctly measure the development of the birds using the appropriate method and equipment. Assist with providing the appropriate conditions and resources necessary to bring birds into lay Collection, grading and storage of eggs for breeding purposes– Handle, grade, mark and store eggs in line with organisational requirements Assist with artificial insemination if relevant to species including the insemination of hens in-line with organisation requirements |
| Hatching |
Correct storage conditions for eggs Why eggs would be unsuitable for incubation Appropriate incubation conditions / times relevant to the species How to recognise infertile eggs Conditions of birds unfit for transport and the correct despatch method in-line with legislation Basic principles of vaccination |
Receive and select eggs for hatching – Store eggs in suitable environment / conditions. Select eggs for incubation in line with organisation requirements. Prepare, load and incubate hatching eggs –prepare eggs for incubation at set times, prepare the incubator correctly to receive eggs, load eggs into the incubator correctly. Assist with checking egg fertility and selecting eggs for transfer in line with organisational requirements Hatch and despatch poultry – Take off poultry, correctly recognise and dispose of sub-standard products in-line with legal and organisational requirements, prepare birds for transportation Assist with preparing and administering vaccine – follow instructions precisely and correctly when assisting with administering a treatment |
| Egg Production |
Production targets for the appropriate breed / species Appropriate conditions and resources necessary to bring birds into lay |
Assist with bringing birds into lay– accurately and correctly measure the development of the birds using the appropriate method and equipment. Assist with providing the appropriate conditions and resources necessary to bring birds into lay Collection, grading and storage of eggs for human consumption– Handle, grade, mark and store eggs in line with organisational requirements |
| Grow Out |
Equipment e.g brooders / heaters, feeders, drinkers, lights’, resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision required for brooding birds where applicable How birds should be handled and placed in their new environment Growth targets required for organisational purposes. |
Brooding / growing procedures appropriate to species - assist with preparing necessary equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds. Prepare / provide appropriate feed and water Handle birds in the appropriate manner and place in correct area / quantities Assisting with rearing birds to suitable / target weight and condition for processing - assess, according to instruction, that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements |
| Duration | 12 to 18 months is the expected average duration for new entrants |
|---|---|
| Level | This Standard is set at Level 2 |
| Qualifications | Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end-point assessment. |
| Progression | On completion of the Level 2 poultry worker standard, suitably able candidates will be able to progress to a higher technical role in poultry agriculture. |
| Review | 3 years after implementation |
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| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 07/06/2018 | Not set |