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Choices in Agricultural Courses - What are the Options?

02 March 2022
Type Media Article

By Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc, Galway/Clare

The delivery of courses has been challenging over the last two years, fortunately students can now return and experience the classroom and practical delivery on site, we have also gained invaluable experience in making the most of technology allowing course providers to offer a blended course delivery where students can avail of a mix of face to face and on line tutorials.  The choice of agricultural courses is considerable and students hoping to opt for a career in the Agricultural or Horticultural sector while qualifying as a young trained farmer may find it difficult to navigate through the list of courses available.

Some of common questions facing students include

Which course will bring the qualification I require? Will it suit my current home/work situation? Is completing the Green Cert all I need or will an alternative third level course in the Agriculture also qualify students as young trained farmers? If I don’t get the points for a straight entry into a degree course, do I have options?

Green Cert Options:

The Green Cert courses are available nationwide .The Green Cert also known as the Certificate in Agriculture is the most widely accepted course to qualify for the Department of Agriculture schemes such as The Young Farmers scheme and TAMS.it is also the qualification required for stamp duty exemption to those under 35 years of age on the transfer of land.

There are three options available to students wishing to complete the Green Cert

1:Full-time Course at Agricultural colleges:

2: The Distance Course:

  • Available to students who have a Fetac Major level 6 or higher qualification in a non- Agricultural area.
  • Delivered over an 18 month period. Students attend college for a total of 18 days to complete practical skills. With one hour per week online theory delivery.
  • Next available course commencing on April 2nd 2022,Contact Mountbellew directly for enrolment pack on 090 9679205 or admissions@mountbellewagri.com

June 2022

3: The Part-time Course:

  • Course is delivered one day every two weeks (10am to 5pm) with one evening class and one evening via Zoom on the alternate week 
  • Students must be over 23yrs of age to apply to this course
  • Next available Part-time course commences January 2023 in Teagasc ,Athenry

Note:

Students who successfully complete the Certificate in Agriculture Advanced Certificate in Agriculture may have the opportunities to gain entry to higher education courses. This is a great opportunity to further your studies post Green Cert.

Further Education:

The further level courses are suitable for people who are looking at a career in agriculture but who do not wish to complete a higher level course. QQI accredited courses are suitable for future farmers and for people seeking employment on farms.

Examples of further Education courses are

  • Dairy Herd Management
  • Drystock Herd Management
  • Forestry
  • Crops and machinery Management
  • Pig Management
  • Poultry Management

Higher Level Courses:

University College Dublin offers Agricultural degree programmes in a variety of areas such as Forestry, Environment, Engineering, Horticulture and Food Science. Other Agricultural Degree courses are run in partnership with Institutes of Technology. These courses are accredited by QQI. They provide the education and training needed by future farmers and skilled workers in the Agri industry.

All Higher level courses are available at level 7 or level 8 (Honours Degree level) Level 7 course duration is 3 years, while the level 8 honour degree will take 4 years. Students apply for higher level courses through the CAO application. These courses also include valuable work placements in the many different agricultural industries both in Ireland and aboard, affording students’ great opportunities and experiences. These work placements often lead to graduate employment opportunities.

Examples of Higher Education courses

Details of the courses listed are available at the link below https://www.teagasc.ie/education/courses/agriculture/

The courses listed above will qualify all graduates as trained farmers for the purposes of both the Department of Agriculture (DAFM) and Revenue schemes.

DAFM and Revenue Websites provide details of the acceptable equivalent courses to the Green Cert (Cert in Agriculture).  Please note that the DAFM and Revenue differ slightly so ensure the course you are considering satisfies the DAFM and Revenue education requirements. It is important to put thought into what you want from your course as it takes time and commitment to complete your studies.

Should you require any further information, please contact your local Teagasc Education officer or Course Provider.

Green Cert Students, Athenry completing Grass Measuring with Tutor, Jennifer Bracken.

Green Cert “Safe Use of Pesticides” Demonstration in Teagasc, Athenry.