Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 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:  LBSE Technicians typically work on site utilising their own initiative in a customer facing role. They are often called upon to mentor and supervise junior colleagues and dispense advice to customers on machinery selection. Typically, they are involved in all aspects of;

• Preparation, installation and handover of complex technologically advanced machinery, plant and equipment and the verification of its performance to the manufacturer's specification and customers satisfaction
• Diagnosis and repair of complex faults in machinery, plant and equipment
• Conducting complex repairs of machinery, equipment, and their components which may include supervising a junior colleague to assist in aspects of the repair.
• Conducting inspections of machines and the compilation of machinery condition reports

Compilation of repair proposals, estimates and quotations and the implementation of timely and cost-effective repairs

For Level 3 apprenticeships, learners are generally required to have GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above prior to enrolment. However, for applicants aged 19 or older, this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the employer and training provider, depending on the role and individual circumstances.

• Hands-on Training & College Learning: Apprentices work on-site with advanced agricultural, horticultural, and forestry machinery while attending college one day per week. They diagnose faults, carry out complex repairs, and service high-tech equipment; gaining hands-on experience in both workshop and field environments.

• Wide-Ranging Curriculum: The course covers engine diagnostics, hydraulics, electrical and electronic systems, transmissions, welding, and control systems. Apprentices also learn about sustainability, customer service, compliance, and technical documentation across land-based sectors.

• Specialist Pathways: Depending on the employer, learners may specialise in precision farming, sports turf machinery, forestry equipment, or horticultural systems. Employers may support additional training in GPS technology, autonomous machinery, or manufacturer-specific diagnostics within the sector.

• Career-Ready Qualification: Upon completion (typically 24 months), apprentices earn a Level 3 qualification and are ready for roles like engineering technician, field service engineer, or workshop supervisor, with progression into management, specialist roles, or degree-level engineering pathways.

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

This Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Apprenticeship is flexibly taught at our London Road campus, with a delivery model to be discussed and identified with the employer prior to enrolment.

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