Arable competencies

Arable competencies

Arable is one of the areas of farming and growing that you can choose to work in or may already work in.

You'll need to develop competency in this specialist area alongside the core competency areas to make sure you have all the skills and knowledge you need to do your job well.

Arable competencies

You'll need to develop competency in this specialist area alongside the core competency areas to make sure you have all the skills and knowledge you need to do your job well.

The Arable area will help you develop your capabilities in:

  • Plant health and crop production
  • Successful harvesting through careful management of the soil, which will have a positive impact on your business sustainability and the environment

The competency areas in Arable cover plant health and productivity, crop production, harvest, environment, and soil/growing media.

We offer learning tailored to arable growers and a range of other essential skills, covering a host of issues important to everyone working in arable and productive horticulture.


At this level, you are typically working as part of a team towards the goals of the business.

Using knowledge and skills to ensure the:

  • Sustainability of the business is improved, and the environment is protected through careful management of the soil
  • Farm’s crop production runs smoothly, leading to successful production
  • Business is as productive as possible while also protecting plant health
  • Harvesting and storing of crops are successful

At this level, you are typically supporting the owner or manager of the business and may be supervising other team members.

Using knowledge and skills to support successful production:

  • Of crops while also improving sustainability and protecting the environment through careful management of soil
  • By assessing cropping systems and crop types in preparation for planting
  • Through maximising the business’ productivity while also protecting plant health
  • By ensuring the harvesting and storing of crops are successful

At this level, you are typically taking main responsibility for a business area or the overall business.

Using knowledge and skills to manage production and: 

  • Make the business more sustainable and protect the environment through careful management of the crops’ soil
  • Assess cropping systems and crop types in preparation for planting
  • Ensure the business is as productive as possible while also protecting crops’ health
  • Ensure harvesting and storage of crops post-harvest is successful

After you've filled in your Capability Profile, you'll see learning relevant to your role and level inside your Recommendations. You'll then be signposted toward learning and CPD opportunities that will work for you.


The Capability Profile is an online tool that allows you to specify what level you are within your current job role and identify areas where you can develop your skills and knowledge.

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