New Structure to Deliver Education Programmes in Teagasc

A new Teagasc Education Structure that incorporates three Lead Colleges and Regional Education Centres was launched by the Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle at Oak Park, Carlow, today, Friday 30 October.

Demand for Teagasc education programmes has increased dramatically over the past four years. In total, Teagasc has 1,577 new students enrolled in both agriculture and horticulture courses in the academic year 2009/2010. This brings the total number of persons participating in Teagasc education courses to 3,222; the equivalent educational output of a medium-sized Institute of Technology.

Teagasc has been seeking to rationalise the resources devoted to agricultural and horticultural education, while at the same time providing the widest possible opportunities for students to participate in its programmes. The Teagasc ‘Change Programme’ identified three lead colleges - Kildalton, Ballyhaise and the College of Amenity Horticulture at the Botanic Gardens along with a number of regional education centres, as the most efficient way to deliver agriculture and horticulture education in Ireland.

This new structure, combines the best features from both the college and locally delivered models under unified management. This will ensure that local support is maintained for the education programmes with the colleges providing essential leadership in the delivery of courses.

Professor Boyle said: ”The average person taking over a farm today is reaching the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture standard. This has only been possible by offering programmes specifically for young entrants in both our colleges and at local level for part-time farmers, flexibility in delivery is crucial.”

The new improved Teagasc education structure announced today includes:
Agriculture Education South

• Kildalton Agricultural College and the local education programmes in Kilkenny and Waterford.
• Clonakilty Agricultural College and the local education programme in West Cork.
• Regional Education Centres in:
  Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford,
  Tipperary,
  Limerick/Kerry
  Cork East

Agriculture Education North

• Ballyhaise College and the local education programmes in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath and Dublin.
• Regional Education Centres in:
  Donegal/Sligo/Leitrim
  Mayo
  Roscommon/Longford
  Galway/Clare
  Westmeath/Offaly/Laois/Kildare

Horticulture Education
Botanic Gardens/Kinsealy campus and programme responsibility for Kildalton Horticultural College.

The Director of Knowledge Transfer and Education in Teagasc, Tom Kirley said: “Education Officers will, for the first time, report within the Education structure in Teagasc and will continue to have a critical role as the link with the advisory service. Kildalton, Ballyhaise and Clonakilty have all benefited from substantial investment in the past ten years.”