Two new farming apprenticeships are set to welcome their first cohort of students next month (September 2023), Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has confirmed.
Students will have the option to choose between:
- The Farm Manager apprenticeship;
- The Farm Technician apprenticeship.
Each apprenticeship is two years in length and will lead to a major award on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Apprentices will be employed by commercial farm enterprises such as arable, dairy, cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, and suckler farm enterprises.
Farm manager apprenticeship
The farm manager apprenticeship creates a pathway to a managerial career in the agricultural sector, equipping the apprentice with the latest research and best practice management knowledge to successfully run a commercial farm business.
The Farm Manager apprenticeship will lead to a Level 7 degree and will initially be available through the Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Kilkenny.
The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is for those anyone who wishes to pursue a managerial career in the agricultural sector or existing personnel employed on farms to progress with their existing educational qualifications.
The programme will provide the person with the latest research and best practice management knowledge to successfully run a commercial farm business.
Apprentices on the programme will engage in an integrated programme of workplace training along-side traditional classroom and blended on-line delivery.
Farm technician
Meanwhile, the farm technician apprenticeship trains apprentices to operate successfully within Irish farming systems, gaining skills in daily operations, and compliance with industry standards and regulatory measures.
This level 6 apprenticeship will be available in Teagasc Clonakilty College, Cork, and Teagasc Ballyhaise College Cavan.
The Farm Technician Apprenticeship will provide individuals with the knowledge and technical skills required to operate within Irish farming systems.
Successful completion of the Farm Technician Apprenticeship will see individuals gain skills in daily operations, compliance with industry standards and regulatory measures.
Horticulture
Meanwhile, an apprenticeship in Horticulture will also be available through the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
The horticultural industry spans nursery stock production, parks and garden maintenance, fruit production, vegetable production, landscape construction and garden centre operations.
The horticulture apprenticeship will equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and competence to work in their chosen field of horticulture.
Apprentices on the programme will engage in an integrated programme of workplace training alongside traditional classroom and blended on-line delivery.
The horticulture apprenticeship is for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the horticultural sector or existing personnel employed in a horticultural facility that would like to gain a recognised qualification.
This programme will equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills and competence to work in their chosen field of horticulture.
The programme has 6 streams, and the apprentice must stay within the stream for the duration of the programme:
- Fruit Stream;
- Garden & Parks Stream;
- Garden Centre Stream;
- Hard Landscaping Stream;
- Nursery Production Stream
- Vegetable Stream.
See more farming news on www.thatsfarming.com
, Minister Harris confirms.){kind=link}