Agriculture & Horticulture - Farm Manager - Apprenticeship
The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is for anyone who wishes to pursue a managerial career in the agricultural sector or existing personnel employed on farms who wish to progress with their existing educational qualifications. The programme provides the person with the latest research and best practice management knowledge to successfully run a commercial farm business.
On completion of this two-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified farm manager, with an NFQ Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
2 years
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:
• Be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer
• Hold a QQI Higher Certificate in Technical Farm Operations (NFQ Level 6).
or
• Hold a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (or equivalent) Award*
or
• Hold a Level 7 Specific Purpose Professional Dairy Diploma in Farm Management*
or
• Be 18 years of age or older with two years of work experience in the agricultural sector with equivalent educational experience (NFQ Level 6
or higher*) deemed acceptable by the employer and consortium and subject to the validation of supporting evidence and/or assessment process.
* A qualification deemed equivalent on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications to any of the qualifications listed above.
** Note –Applicants may be required to demonstrate that they possess the required competency through the completion of a maths assessment.
Careers / Further progression
On completion of this two-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified farm manager, with an NFQ Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management.
You may then choose to work as a Farm Manager on commercial farm enterprises such as the following:
• Arable farming
• Cattle farming
• Pig farming
• Poultry farming
• Sheep farming
• Suckler farming
You may also use the qualification to progress within the sector and/or to higher education programmes.
Further information
Off-the-Job College Location:
• Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, E32 YW08
The cost of the apprenticeship is €1,375 per year of the programme. Associated costs such as travel and accommodation for off-the-job block release are extra.
The employer pays the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship including time spent off the job in college. The rate of pay is agreed between the Employer and the Apprentice . Up to date information on programme fees is available on the Teagasc website
Step 1
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:
Be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer.
Meet the entry requirements.
Step 2
The approved SOLAS Employer will start the registration process with SOLAS (The Further Education & Training Authority).
Step 3
Applicant’s application will be assessed by Teagasc in consultation with SOLAS.
Step 4
If successful, applicant will be registered as an apprentice both with SOLAS and Teagasc.
Step 5
Apprentice will be called for induction training and off-the-job learning block release
Do you enjoy working outdoors in a physically active job? Are you interested in all things farming? Would you like to learn the technical skills and knowledge to manage a commercial farming enterprise? Why not consider an apprenticeship in Farm Management?
This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn while gaining valuable experience on commercial farms to progress your career opportunities into farm management.
Programme
This Farm Manager Apprenticeship is a two-year programme, developed in consultation with industry.
As part of this programme, Apprentices will engage in on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the-job training will take place in a Teagasc College supported by online learning.
Off-the-job training will also include visits to industry / agricultural research locations. Off-the-job training will be a total of 10 weeks per year.
Employers are required to:
• Be a SOLAS approved employer
• Nominate a workplace mentor
• Release the apprentice for the ‘off-the-job’ block release days
• Pay the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship
Overview of Programme Modules
Year 1 / Stage 1:
• Farm Finance & Strategic Management
• Health & Safety Management
• Sustainable & Environmental Farm Management
• Farm Product Quality & Operations Management
Year 2 / Stage 2:
• Manager Skills – Leadership; Delegation; Decision Making
• Economic Sustainability & Labour Management
• Farm Infrastructure & Regulations
• Climate Smart Farm Technologies
• Apprentice Project
Qualifications
On completion of the programme, the Apprentice will hold a nationally-recognised QQI Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management (NFQ Level 7)
Certification: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) issues certification as the awarding body
Contact:
Marcella Phelan
National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator,
Curriculum Development and Standards Unit
Teagasc Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
Phone: 0516 44508
email: marcella.phelan@teagasc.ie
www.teagasc.ie/education
www.apprenticeship.ie
Dr. Emma-Louise Coffey
Programme Co-ordinator,
Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, E32 YW08.
phone: 025 42706
email:E emmalouise.coffey@teagasc.ie