25 September 2008

Jolene McGovern, Lecturer, Enniskillen Campus, CAFRE

The Level 2 Apprenticeship in Agriculture offered by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provides students with a high quality education in practical job related skills while working on the family farm or on an approved work experience farm. Courses are offered across Northern Ireland and are delivered by staff from Greenmount and Enniskillen Campuses.

The course is practically based and aims to develop students across a broad range of agricultural skills. On-the-job training is supported by one day of class/instruction each week, part of which is used to develop the students’ knowledge in areas such as feeding, breeding, health and safety, calf rearing, grassland management, animal health and farm mechanisation. The importance of record keeping is highlighted with students receiving guidance on herd record keeping, medicine records, and personal finance such as basic banking and VAT. During the second part of the day, students travel to local farms to obtain instruction and practice in livestock skills. The students will have the opportunity to become proficient in areas such as dosing and fencing. Visits are organised throughout the year to farms and agricultural supply businesses incorporating engineering firms, meal companies, sale yards and agricultural shows.

This course also offers students the opportunity to attend specialist “short” courses at Greenmount and Enniskillen Campuses. They can obtain certificates such as the PA1 Foundation Module in the Safe Use of Pesticides, Sheep Shearing and Manual Handling.

After successfully completing the Level 2, students can progress to a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Livestock Production.

If you would like further information about this agricultural qualification, please telephone 0800 0284291.

Day release agriculture student James Hutchinson at work in the ‘office’.

Students on the Apprenticeship in Agriculture programme discuss the finer points of bull selection.