Minister Launches New Teagasc Prospectus
Issued 28thNovember 2001
The Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael Woods, has launched a new Teagasc prospectus of courses in agriculture, horticulture and food.
The prospectus details all nationally accredited third level and vocational courses in agriculture, horticulture, horse production and forestry and profiles a range of careers of young people who have completed each course. It also gives comprehensive information on the facilities in the 10 agricultural and horticultural colleges which will be providing courses in 2002.
Speaking at the launch, Paddy Browne, Head of Education with Teagasc said the new prospectus brings together the full range of new third level and vocational courses and will be an important aid to career guidance teachers and students who are interested in pursuing careers in farming and rural-based industries.
''It demonstrates the radical changes which have taken place in Teagasc courses, with a number of courses now on the CAO list and the opportunity for participants to progress right up to university level''.
The prospectus also details the comprehensive range of Teagasc courses for the food industry. Through its two food research and development centres, Teagasc is the leading provider of training in all aspects of food quality and safety, food innovation and new product development. The full range of courses being provided in 2002 is listed.
A separate section of the prospectus is devoted to training courses for adult farmers and rural dwellers. Over 10,000 farmers and their partners participate each year in continuing education courses provided at local Teagasc centres and colleges. Courses cover all aspects of farm enterprise and farm business management, environmental control, food safety, forestry as well as a wide range of rural diversification options.
All adult courses are now nationally accredited by the newly established Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) and participants have the option of accumulating a number of courses which lead to a national certificate awarded by FETAC.
The launch of the new prospectus coincides with eight special careers events, which are taking place this week in agricultural and horticultural colleges. The events are aimed at giving the full story on training and careers to students and career guidance teachers.
