Course Aim:
This course is aimed at those who wish to follow a career in the wider engineering sector e.g. as a service technician or in machinery management or those who wish to progress to a higher-qualification.
Course Content:
First year units include:
- Cultivation and planting machinery
- Diagnosis and rectification of faults
- Electrical and electronic systems
- Harvesting equipment - arable
- Hydraulic / pneumatic principles
- Mechanical power transmission
- Repair processes and materials technology
- Vehicle chassis systems
- Vehicle engine technology
- Vehicle transmission systems
National Certificate students are required to complete a ten week period of work experience in a machinery dealership or garage following the completion of the College-based units.
The National Certificate is awarded on the completion of 12 units.
National Diploma students are required to complete a six month work placement from June to November. Students have the opportunity to work in a range of businesses for example large scale arable farms, agricultural contractors, engineering manufacturers or machinery dealerships.
The National Diploma is awarded on the completion of 18 units.
Final year units include:
- Application Equipment
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Engineering Drawing
- Harvesting Equipment - grassland
- Individual Project
- Machinery Management
- Maths (optional)
Career destinations:
Students will gain employment in large mechanised farms, in machinery businesses and in contracting businesses or progress to higher education courses.
Student View:
Stephen Sharpe, Coleraine
While studying for his qualification Stephen spent some time in the workshop of machinery dealer John McElderry Ltd where he created a positive impression and was subsequently offered a full-time job as a service technician. He has also gained some manufacturer training to further develop the core skills he developed as a student at Greenmount.
“I’m now able to put into practice some of the things I learned when I was at Greenmount. The course was a very good preparation for my current job”.
Student View: Kevin Gribben, Rasharkin
Kevin completed his course and found employment with local machinery dealer John McElderry Ltd. After working in a number of departments within the company Kevin has now been promoted to tractor salesman and is enjoying his current role.
“The course is a really good preparation for the technical aspects of a job in a machinery dealership. However, just as important were the other skills that we learnt at College – getting on with other people, gaining the confidence to give presentations and working as part of a team to name but a few. I would have no hesitation in recommending the course to anyone interested in machinery.”
