Philip McCorry – CAFRE Student Profile

My name is Philip McCorry and I am from Glengormley. I completed the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land-based Engineering at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus in June 2021. I am currently employed as an Apprentice Mechanic at Dennison JCB.

While studying my GCSEs at Hazelwood Integrated College, I felt that school was not the correct environment for me to further my education. I attended an open evening at Greenmount Campus and I knew the Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land-based Engineering would be a better route for me. I was impressed by the facilities and the ‘learn by doing’ approach.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CAFRE. I enjoyed the practical classes and being in the workshop with the skills group. Prior to COVID-19, we were able to meet people and companies from industry. We were lucky to visit Farmhand Ltd in Dublin. Farmhand is the main importer for a number of large agricultural manufactures in Ireland. On the same day, we visited Dromone Hitches in Meath who make pickup hitches and quick hitches for diggers. We were also invited to an Evoquip, a Terex brand, working demonstration day in Glenavy where we saw crushers and screeners aimed at the agricultural contracting sector.

During my final months of study at Greenmount Campus, an opportunity for an apprenticeship at Dennison JCB, Templepatrick was advertised and I applied for it. I was delighted to be successful in getting the job. From September 2021, I have been in employment as an Apprentice Mechanic at Dennison JCB. My main roles include servicing JCB telehandlers and diggers and completing pre-delivery inspection (PDIs) on all types of machinery. I would highly recommend the Land-based Engineering course at Greenmount Campus. It will equip you with employability skills for life and has fantastic facilities to offer you ‘hands on’ learning. To find out more, visit the course page.