Guidelines for Applicants

Guidelines for Applicants

To apply for the training, you should choose one of the Training Centres listed and make direct contact with the farm or garden of your choice to ensure they have a space etc

Then you need to fill in the following 2 forms and remember to include the registration fee.

Please note, the fees for the training are £700 for the first year and £500 for the second year. The training group would like to stress that financial constraints should not stop prospective apprentices from applying. Please contact the individual centres to organise payment arrangements.

• Apprentice Learning Diploma Application form (word doc)
• Apprentice Learning Diploma Application  Form (pdf)
• Apprentice Learner registration form (word doc)
• Apprentice Learner registration form(Pdf) 

Terms and Conditions

Apprenticeship learners are expected to participate fully in the work of the farm and the household where they are living in return for their board, lodgings and practical tuition. The cost of day release courses, seminars and block courses are carried by the training centres and there are currently no further costs to apprentices.  A small amount of pocket money is usually offered and agreed holiday leave is included in the two years.
The person applying should generally be over the age of twenty one, however if all the other criteria are met, a younger applicant will be considered. There is no upper age limit . The nature of the farming vocation means however that the person applying needs to be physically capable of carrying out the tasks required. Self motivation and an enthusiasm for learning and working are essential.

Occasionally apprentices may be in a situation where they have to live outside the farm and come in daily to work and study. In this situation apprentices may be expected to cover part of their own living costs especially if they are less than full time on the farm. A comprehensive Student Manual detailing all aspects of the training will be sent on enrolment.

Commitment to the Training

Apprenticeship learning requires a full time commitment to the farm and lasts for a minimum of two full years preferably spent on the same farm. This enables the apprenticeship learner to experience the living dynamic of the farm for two full seasons. In the second year he/she will also be able to contribute more fully to the farm. This does not of course preclude anyone from having a placement elsewhere in order to gain additional skills.

Overseas applicants: It is unfortunately no longer possible to provide assistance with visa applications for applicants from countries outside the European Union and European Economic Area. We hope that in future this may change.
If you have any questions about the training please contact the apprentice learning co-ordinator Nir Halfon email: nirhalfon (at) biodynamic.orguk

Application form
Training Centres
Course details
Reading list