So, what's it all about?
Does the idea of spending five days a week for the next 50 years stuck behind a desk staring at a computer screen fill you with dread? Then this could be the sector for you.
Once upon a time, nearly everybody worked on the land, growing food, or raising animals. The industrial revolution changed all that, but land-based industries are still a hugely important sector.
Farming is, of course, a big part of it - ranging from small sheep farms in the Scottish highlands to massive arable (crop-growing) agribusinesses in East Anglia.
Then there's horticulture: that's growing plants, including fruit and vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees. These might be supplied to food producers or supermarkets, or sold directly to the public at nurseries. Other careers with plants include floristry or landscape gardening.
On the landscape side, it's not just parks that need looking after. Even the wildest, most unspoilt areas of the countryside have to be managed. If you're concerned about the planet's future, then a career in environmental conservation gives you a real opportunity to make a difference.
This is the area for animal lovers, too. Farm animals, wildlife, horses, domestic pets, even zoo animals all need looking after. An Apprenticeship in this sector could see you training guide dogs or exercising race horses. Over the centuries, people have built up a huge wealth of knowledge when it comes to looking after plants, animals and the land. It's no exaggeration to say that, without apprentices, ancient professions like dry stone walling and farriery (shoeing horses) would be in danger of dying out.
Don't think, though, that you'll find some rural dream of horse-drawn carts and drinking cider in the hay. You're more than likely to be operating advanced machinery, and a knowledge of science and computers could be as important as your rugged labourer's muscles.
Remember, too, that you'll be outside in all kinds of weather: the work doesn't stop because of a bit of rain. Occasionally, you'll probably wish you were in that warm, dry office. But only occasionally.
What qualities do I need?
- enjoy working outside
- be physically fit and strong
- work without supervision
- care about the environment
- understand and care for animals
- be practical and good at problem-solving
- have a good knowledge of biology
- use machinery safely
Hours: Expect some long hours and early mornings. On a farm, 5am is considered a perfectly reasonable time to start work.
Environment: A lot of work takes place outdoors in all weathers. Some heavy manual labour may be involved.
Location: Although there are jobs in towns, this is one sector where you're more likely to find work in the countryside, including beautiful places like national parks.
These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.
Agricultural crops and livestock
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Amenity horticulture
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Animal care
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Dry stone walling
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Environmental conservation
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Equine
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Farriery
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Fence installation
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Floristry
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Gamekeeping and wildlife management
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Land-based service engineering
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Production horticulture
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Saddlery
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Trees and timber
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Veterinary nursing
Contact LANTRA www.lantra.co.uk
Click here for a list of employers offering Apprenticeships in this sector.
National Farmers Union
The Royal Horticultural Society
The Institute of Horticulture
RSPCA
Dry Stone Walling Association
Nature Net
www.naturenet.net/people/careers.html
Horse and Hound
The British Horse Society
Farriery Training Service
Farriers Registration Council (FRC) and Farriery Training Agency (FTA)
Fencing Contractors Association
British Florist Association
www.britishfloristassociation.org
The Society of Floristry
The Game Conservancy Trust
The National Gamekeepers' Organisation
www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk
Agricultural Engineers Association
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers
The Institute of Horticulture
www.horticulture.org.uk/IoHEduc.htm