Tractor Driver
Job Description:Tractor drivers operate farm machinery to plough fields, plant seeds, and spray and harvest crops.
Job Category:What you will do:
Day-to-day tasks
In this role, you could:
- discuss work with the farm manager
- plough fields, sow seeds and harvest crops
- spray crops with fertilisers and pesticides
- use tractor attachments to cut hedges and make hay bales
- maintain equipment and carry out basic repairs
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of food production methods
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- the ability to work on your own (independency)
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisation skills)
- physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
- concentration skills
- analytical thinking skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Entry Requirements:
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills you need to become a tractor driver.
You could do a course in tractor driving and related occupations or in safe working in agriculture and production horticulture.
Apprenticeship
You could do a general farm worker intermediate apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship usually takes 18 months to complete.
Direct Application
There is no set route to become a tractor driver so you could apply directly.
It might be useful if you have some experience in farming and a knowledge of basic mechanics.
Working Hours and Environment:
Typical working hours are 60-62 hours a week but these may depend on the season.
You may be expected to work on the weekend, public holidays and in the evenings.
You could work on a farm.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, cramped, noisy, physically demanding and dusty.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience you could:
- become a supervisor or farm manager,
- agricultural contractor, or agricultural engineer
- be a tractor driver in different sectors such as maintaining outdoor spaces for local government
- take further training to operate different machinery