New farm manager and technician apprenticeships in 2022

Farm manager (level 7) and farm technician (level 6) apprenticeships are among those that will be developed during 2022.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD will bring forward legislation to allow for the delivery of apprenticeships in agriculture.

The 17 new courses over the coming year are in agriculture, engineering, construction, equine, finance, hospitality and food, ICT and logistics.

Farm apprenticeships 

Today (Thursday, December 30th), Minister Harris stated that the move would help deliver on commitments under the Programme for Government.

He believes it would support and drive the economy while addressing the skills requirements identified across society.

Harris said this latest development is a “vital” step towards increasing annual apprenticeship registrations to 10,000 by 2025.

He stated that to meet our targets, we require an apprenticeship system that is:

• Flexible and responsive, providing a “strong” value proposition for employers and potential apprentices;
• Attractive and easy to engage with;
• Has high standards and sought after qualifications.

“We now have 62 apprenticeship programmes. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021 despite the challenges presented by Covid.”

“We have a further four programmes close to launch. People are responding to this variety. As of last week, we had over 8,000 new registrations this year.”

“Across 2022, we will expand the system further to create even more employment and learning opportunities for people.”

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a work-based learning opportunity. It combines a minimum of 50% work-based learning with an employer with off-the-job learning in an education and training institution.

Apprenticeships lead to internationally recognised qualifications from level 5 -10 of the National Framework of Qualifications.

Apprentices ‘earn while they learn’ – they have an employment contract and are paid a salary for the duration of their apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships vary in length depending on the programme, lasting between two and five years.

Minister Harris hopes these new opportunities will help deliver the message that an apprenticeship can provide a “real and substantive” career pathway for:

• School leavers;
• Those looking to upskill, change career;
• People who are looking for a route back to employment in new and growing areas.