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Ben Adams – CAFRE Alumni

My name is Ben Adams and I am from Buckna, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. I completed the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land-based Engineering at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus.

While studying my GCSEs at Dunclug College, I felt that school was not the direction for me. I have always had an interest in mechanical work and engineering from an early age so the Land-based Engineering course ticked all the boxes for me. 

During my time on the course, I completed an industry work placement with WAC McCandless. Day-to-day jobs varied, it could be carrying out a pre-delivery inspection on a small handheld machine and the next I could be trying to diagnose a fault on a large quarry dumper. This experience was invaluable as I was able to put my theory into practice. In addition, I am delighted to I have been offered a full time job as an apprentice mechanic with WAC McCandless.  

Over the last two years, I have had an enjoyable time at Greenmount Campus. The course is mainly taught in the Machinery and Buildings Centre, which is available to all engineering students for their practical classes. The modern equipment available ensures the best possible learning experience enabling me to ‘learn by doing’. Here I was able to improve and develop my welding skills.  

In April this year, we visited a number of companies as part of our course. This allowed us to see a number of manufacturing and production facilities across the Island of Ireland. I was particularly impressed with the facilities at both SlurryKat, Waringstown, County Armagh and Malone Farm Machinery, County Mayo.  

I would highly recommend the Land-based Engineering course at Greenmount Campus to anyone with a practical ability and an interest in mechanical work combined with agricultural and land-based machinery. It will equip you with the necessary employability skills and prepare you for a career in a range of machinery and engineering related jobs. I have made many lifelong friends here on the Land-based engineering course and the other courses CAFRE have to offer.