New Agricultural Policy Increases Need for Third Level Training

16 January, 2004

The dramatic changes in EU agricultural policy will increase the need for young entrants to the industry to undertake third level training, according to a leading Teagasc educationalist.

Paddy Browne, Head of Education with Teagasc, said the complete decoupling of EU support payments from production will result in greater emphasis on producing for real markets.

“This will require the latest technology and business management on farms. In this scenario, young farmers with the highest level of training possible will have the best chance of success,” he said.

“There will also be a large number of part-time farmers who will continue to make a significant contribution to agricultural output. For many of these, a third level course will be the ideal preparation in order to combine a professional career with part-time farming,” he added.

Paddy Browne was speaking at the announcement of details of 11 third level courses in agriculture and horticulture being provided this year by Teagasc colleges and institute of technology partnerships and which appear on the 2004 Central Applications Office (CAO) list. The closing date for CAO applications is 1 February.

The list includes four joint Teagasc/institute of technology national certificate courses in agriculture and three joint Teagasc/institute of technology national diploma courses in horticulture. There are also courses in agri-business, equine studies and agricultural mechanisation.

“As well as providing the skills for the formidable future challenges in farming, third level agricultural courses provide the ideal training for careers in farm management, environmental management, agri-industry sales and marketing and quality control.”

“The Diploma in Horticulture will lead to rewarding careers in a wide range of areas including landscape gardening, nursery stock production, vegetable and fruit production and green-keeping” said Paddy Browne.

He urged young people with an interest in outdoor careers to seriously consider these courses when filling in their CAO form between now and the end of January. Graduates of all courses have the opportunity to progress right up to university degree level.