Introduction

Careers in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry offer young people an attractive range of work opportunities and lifestyles which can be very rewarding and fulfilling.  In the post decoupling era many new opportunities will open up in farming.  In addition, the horticultural, equine and forestry services industries will provide increasing opportunities for people with the necessary skills.

Agriculture, Horticulture and food processing are now highly demanding businesses. The food produced on the farms of Ireland must find and hold its place on the shelves of supermarkets servicing the 500 million consumers in Europe and in many countries further afield.

To compete and prosper in this highly competitive world food market demands a skilled work force, which can hold its own with our competitors anywhere in the world.

Teagasc's education and training programme has just undergone a radical overhaul with all courses now nationally accredited and with the opportunity to progress right up to honours degree level.

In addition, Teagasc colleges and training centres are currently being upgraded to the highest standard, thanks to a major investment programme.

Vocational Courses

All of Teagasc's vocational courses have been benchmarked and upgraded in recent years and are now nationally accredited by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC).

These courses are suitable for people who wish to make a career in agriculture, horticulture, horses or forestry but who do not wish to complete a third level course. There is no minimum educational entry requirement but those who have completed the Leaving Certificate are most likely to benefit.

These courses open up a wide range of career options for participants. Many will return to farming either in a full-time or part-time capacity but there are excellent job prospects in the expanding amenity horticulture, equine and forestry sectors.

Paid work experience is an integral part of these courses where participants have the opportunity to develop the skills and competencies associated with their chosen career.

Participants on vocational programmes who achieve the necessary results can transfer to third level courses and progress right up to honours degree level.

In 2004/2005 around 650 students were recruited onto the various vocational programmes in Teagasc.

The Vocational Certificate in Agriculture is offered at six Agricultural Colleges - Ballyhaise, Clonakilty, Gurteen, Kildalton, Mountbellew and Pallaskenry. The course is also offered, on a part-time basis, at local Teagasc Training Centres. These awards meet the training requirements for Stamp Duty exemption and Installation Aid.

Students who wish to specialise in organic agriculture or pigs may do so depending on demand.  The organic option is available at Mountbellew College while the pig production option is available at Ballyhaise College.

The  Advanced  Certificate in Dairy Herd Management is offered at Clonakilty Agricultural College and Ballyhaise Agricultural College.

The Advanced Certificate in Farm Machinery and Arable Crops is offered at Kildalton Agricultural College.

The Advanced Certificate in Farm Management replaces the former Farm Apprenticeship Scheme operated by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, and is run at Kildalton College.

The Advanced Certificate in Drystock Production is a new programme on offer at Gurteen Agricultural College.

The One Year Certificate in Horticultural Skills is conducted at the College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens and the Salesian College of Horticulture, Warrenstown.

The Two Year Vocational Certificate in Horticulture is provided at three Horticultural Colleges:  Kildalton College, Salesian College of Horticulture, Warrenstown and the National Botanic Gardens.

The Vocational Certificate in Greenkeeping is delivered at the College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens.

The Vocational Certificate in Horse Breeding and Training is offered at Kildalton Agricultural College.

Finally, the Vocational Certificate in Forestry is offered at the Teagasc College, Ballyhaise,.

If you are interested in applying for any of these courses please contact the college of your choice.  Full contact details are available on the Teagasc website www.teagasc.ie. 

Third Level Courses

 The provision of Third Level training has been a major step forward for Teagasc in recent years.  There are now 11 third level programmes appearing on the CAO list and this is set to expand in the years ahead.  All of these courses are conducted jointly with Institutes of Technology, thus facilitating the best use of the core competencies of each of the partner institutions.

The courses are accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and in most situations holders of Higher Certificates (with merit or distinction) are eligible to progress to Ordinary Bachelors Degree or Honours Degree level.

Recruitment to the courses is through the CAO system with places reserved for mature students and holders of designated FETAC awards.  While we are now past the closing date for CAO applications students may wish to avail of the change of mind facility and opt for one of Teagasc’s third level courses.

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Issued by: Larry O’Loughlin, A/Head, Public Relations Department, Teagasc

Tel. 059 9183408; 087 2562434; Email: loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie