03 November 2008

Ronnie Hutchinson, Agriculture Lecturer, CAFRE, Greenmount Campus

The National Diploma in Agriculture course at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus has again proved popular with applicants with enrolment numbers hitting a ten year high. The course is delivered over three years with the second year spent on work experience with an approved agri-business. Preparing students for their first big step into the world of work is no easy matter. During their first year at Greenmount visits are arranged to work placements farms across Northern Ireland to let students see what they can expect in their second year.

One recent visit was to the McAllister’s dairy farm at Fir Lodge, Glenavy where students were met by Randal McAllister, his father Michael and Mark Peden a second year NDA student from Banbridge, who is undertaking his work experience on the farm.

As well as seeing and discussing the management of the dairy herd including a number of ‘farm designed’ innovations with Randal, the students also heard Mark and Michael’s different perspectives on work experience.  

Mark described a normal working day for him on the farm. Students were interested to hear about the living arrangements, pay and conditions and how Mark got on with his employers. Michael told them that work experience would teach them a lot more than just how to milk cows and look after livestock.They would learn about team work and living independently in the real world.

Both Michael and Mark agreed that, despite the odd difficulty, the work experience year was a great part of the NDA course and urged students to make the most of their opportunity.

For more information on the National Diploma in Agriculture or any other course at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise call Free phone 0800 028 4291

The picture shows Michael on the left, Randal is holding the dog with Mark alongside and the first year students are in the background.