Land-Based Service Engineer Level 2 Standard

Anyone who is responsible for maintaining a range of machinery, plant and equipment in sectors such as agriculture, forestry and horticulture.

Roles/Occupations may include:  Agricultural Service Engineer, Construction and Plant Service Engineer, Outdoor Power Equipment Service Engineer, Forestry Equipment Service Engineer or Fixed Plant and Equipment Service Engineer. 

Applicants aged 16–18 who have not achieved GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above must work towards and attempt Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects as part of their apprenticeship programme.

For applicants aged 19 and over, this requirement is optional and can be removed if both the apprentice and employer agree, with the decision formally documented at enrolment.

• Hands-on Training & College Learning: Apprentices work on-site with tractors, mowers, harvesters, and other land-based equipment while attending college one day per week. They gain practical experience in servicing, inspecting, and repairing mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems across varied outdoor environments.

• Wide-Ranging Curriculum: The course covers engine systems, transmissions, electrical circuits, hydraulics, welding, and diagnostics. Apprentices also learn about environmental impact, sustainability, customer service, and health and safety regulations relevant to land-based industries.

• Specialist Pathways: Learners may specialise in agricultural machinery, forestry equipment, horticultural tools, or sports turf technology, depending on employer environment. Employers may support additional training in GPS systems, precision farming, or battery-powered equipment depending on sector needs.

• Career-Ready Qualification: Upon completion (typically 18-24 months), apprentices earn a Level 2 qualification and are ready for roles like service engineer, workshop technician, or field maintenance operative, with progression into Level 3 Land-Based Service Engineering Technician or manufacturer-specific training.

For a comprehensive understanding of this programme and what it entails, please click here.

This Land-Based Service Engineer Apprenticeship is flexibly taught at our London Road campus on a day release basis once a week unless discussed otherwise. If you need to complete your functional skills, then this will be covered at college in a block week release.  In addition, you will be assessed in the workplace by your assessor and progress reviewed every 12 weeks with your employer. In addition, you will be required to sit an End Point Assessment, towards the final stages of your programme, which will ensure you have obtained the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to carry out your role effectively.

Typically, this Level 2 Apprenticeship will take 18 months to complete, plus the End Point Assessment period.

To be an apprentice, you will need an employer who can offer you a specific role relevant to this apprenticeship and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 653444 or email apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk