Stock Person / Relief Milker /Tractor Driver
Sparsholt College
Hampshire
- £24,714 - £28,558 per year
- Expired
- Salary:
- (depending upon qualification and experience) inclusive of overtime.
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 8 June 2020
Job overview
£24,714 - £28,558 (depending upon qualification and experience) inclusive of overtime.
Plus on-site accommodation at “AWB” rates. Eligibility to join the local government pension scheme.
The appointed candidate will work alongside the Herds Manager in all aspects of dairy production related to the college’s pedigree Holstein dairy herd together with other cattle related tasks required by our expanding suckler herd.
The primary responsibility is for rearing young stock, the majority of which are TMR based fed using feeder wagon and undertaking relief milking on a rota basis / holiday cover. The role entails the supervision of students on farm duties and liaison with academic colleagues to maximise the educational opportunities for a range of learners including college students, trainee vets and visiting groups such as Firemen/women and other organisations that come into contact with animals as part of their working life. The college currently runs a successful cattle showing team and there will be the opportunity to participate in this activity if this interests the successful applicant.
The amount of tractor driving outside the main tasks around dairy will be adapted to suit the interests of the appointed candidate. For someone who enjoys tractor driving then in quieter periods there is a range of operations over the whole farm which can be undertaken.
The successful applicant will possess:
• A minimum of a level 2 qualification in agriculture or related discipline
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Demonstrable competency in using tractor/ farm equipment
• Demonstrable experience of working with cattle
• An affinity with working and developing young people
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with a wide range of people.
• A “can-do” and flexible attitude.
The rota working pattern is outlined in the further information document.
It is desirable that the post holder will hold relevant qualifications in tractor driving, telescopic forklift operation and safe use of medicines. If the appointed applicant does not hold these, a willingness to undertake the testing programme at a very early stage will be required.
Background to the Role:
The college dairy is an integral part of the training of students on Further Education and some Higher Education Courses providing valuable hands-on experience with milking and other farm related activities, which the post holder will be involved in supervising.
The college herd is pedigree Holstein and is run to produce maximum learning opportunities whilst maintaining commercial outputs. Current yield is approx. 10,000lts per cow from a 7 month housed period following by paddock grazing in summer. Twice a day milking. Milking’s are at 4am and 1.30 pm to link in with the teaching programme.
Part of the role is to inspire new generations to get involved in dairy farming. This will require someone who is passionate about cows and is able to communicate this to others.
Closing Date: 08 June 2020
College Benefits:
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (a defined benefit pension scheme)
• Death Benefit grant of 3 x salary (if in the pension scheme)
• Free on-site parking
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme
• Occupational Maternity Pay Scheme
• On-site gym at the Sparsholt campus (membership £100 per annum)
• Facility to purchase Sparsholt produce including: plants, fruit & vegetables, fish and game
• Ability to access a range of CPD events and support with undertaking professional qualifications
• Various food outlets and eateries offering good value food and drink at competitive prices
There is a nursery on the Sparsholt campus operated by a commercial provider
Attached documents
About Sparsholt College
- Sparsholt College
- Westley Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester
- Hampshire
- SO21 2NF
- United Kingdom
What’s in a name?
Sparsholt College takes its name from the parish of Sparsholt in which it is situated and the neighbouring village.
Pronounced “Spar - sholt” (not “Spars - holt”), the name derives from two old English words:
Spar - a straight timber for making spears,roof timbers, etc.
Holt - an area of managed woodland.
Thus, rural industry, reflected in the local name, continues to be taught and promoted in its modern forms by the
College today.
History
Hampshire County Council was the fourth in England to commit bricks and mortar to agricultural training and the county’s first Farm School was opened in November 1899 at Old Basing, near Basingstoke.
Its aim was “to provide instruction in the science and practice of agriculture and gardening, but particularly to make the practical side approach as nearly as possible to business conditions, consistent with educational purposes and to provide a centre for domestic work in the county”.
In September 1914, the Farm School was transferred to the 400 acre (158 ha) Westley Farm at Sparsholt, specially bought for the purpose by the County Council. Staff and students made do with huts, barns and Westley farmhouse until 1926, when a new College building (now the administrative centre) was opened.
Numbers of students remained in the 30’s and 40’s for many years, with the development of farm and horticultural buildings in line with modern practice of the times.
Between 1970 and the present time, other College educational buildings have developed to accommodate a rapid growth in student numbers as the breadth of land-based subjects was expanded and the depth of academic progression reflected up to six levels of course qualifications.
Higher Education at the College began in 1983, with the introduction of an HND in Fishery Studies. Since then, HE courses have multiplied. The College is directly funded for its Higher Education courses, not as a subsidiary of university-based courses.
In common with all colleges of further education, the College became independent from the County Council in 1993 and is now funded, for FE courses, from central government through the Learning and Skills Council.
The present day College has excellent teaching and training facilities both for theory and practical classes. A superb library and four computer suites reflects the need to keep pace with new methods of learning, while recent construction of superb new training resources (see individual sections’ facilities) keep pace with rapidly developing industrial technology.
More than 1,400 full-time students and 6,000 part-time enrolments have increased the demand for new teaching space and, to this end, the Sainsbury building, incorporating classrooms, lecture theatre and laboratories was opened in December 2000.
Many students use the highly developed residential, social and sports facilities at the College (over 400 single study rooms on site most of which are en-suite). Over its 100+ year history, Sparsholt College has become one of the largest colleges of its kind in the country and, with highly rated educational standards, one of the best regarded.
As with all Further and Higher Education institutions, Sparsholt College is subject to government standards and inspection processes.
Graded results from the last three inspection reports and recently awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status show the College to be in the highest league and should give every prospective student full confidence in the quality of their course provision.
A reputation alone does not “make” a college, nor do familiar buildings and top class resources; it is also the commitment of a dedicated staff and the motivation of the students which contribute to that “something special” which is Sparsholt College.
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