It was a historic moment for Teagasc education as the first group of students to complete the land-based apprenticeships graduated on Wednesday 4 February at the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.
After two years of earning while learning, 47 apprentices achieved higher certificates in the four land-based programmes. Of these, nine completed the technical farm operations (Level 6), seven completed the sustainable farm management (Level 7), nine completed the horticulture (Level 6), and 22 graduated in sportsturf management (Level 6).
Graduates were presented with their certificates by Marian Harkin, Minister of State with special responsibility for further education, apprenticeship, construction and climate skills. Awards were presented for apprentice of the year in each of the four programmes on the day.
Conor Comerford came out tops from the horticulturist apprenticeship programme, Mike Madden from the farm technician apprenticeship programme, James Kiely received the accolade from the sportsturf management apprenticeship programme and Jack Corkery, was recognised from the farm manager apprenticeship group.
Speaking at the graduation, Dr Stan Lawler, director of knowledge transfer in Teagasc acknowledged the importance of this learning model.
“Today is a fantastic day for Teagasc and all the partners who have worked with us on the development of these apprenticeships. The new programmes that we’ve set up have re-established apprenticeships as a really important and valuable way for people to upskill in a very real way. At the same time, you learn the environment,” says Stan.
“The fact that you’re in employment means the employer is very much bought into your development as well. All of that comes together to make it a very unique and valuable additional offering.
“Now, with the graduates coming through, we can see the fruition of that as being established and up and running.”
The land-based apprenticeships are really innovative in their nature, and serve a need for industry, which keeps the programmes “current and relevant”, according to David Nevin, National Apprenticeship Office.
Teagasc marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, 4 February with the graduation of apprentices from its higher education apprenticeship programmes./ John Ohle Photography
Apprentice development
“Apprenticeship is grounded in industry needs, so all new apprenticeships that are developed are developed by consortia of industry employers and educators. They know the needs of their industry, and they keep the programmes current and relevant. Because of that, we expect that the graduates from today’s event will go into employment and do great things.
We had a piece of research done by the CSO last year that showed in excess of 90% of apprentices graduating go on to employment,” he explains.
David emphasised the importance of highlighting the multiple pathways that people can now take to develop a career.
“Were happy to see the growth in apprenticeships over the last 10 years, with 78 apprenticeships nationally and more in development. In terms of breaking down barriers [to further education], what we have done over the last 10 years, in particular, is to try and grow the apprenticeship system, through Generation Apprenticeship.
To show people that higher education, whilst it’s a valuable and fantastic option and one that I took myself, is not the only option, and that there are many other options available, such as apprenticeships and FET.
“We really encourage people to look at all the options and pick an option that suits them, suits their approach to learning, suits their interests and where they want to go in their career,” says David.
If anyone is considering one of the four land-based apprenticeships, Teagasc are hosting open days throughout their colleges in March and have advised prospective students to go along and speak to faculty members or email the colleges.
For more information, visit teagasc.ie/education/apprenticeships.
Catch the live action from the graduation ceremony below.
It was a historic moment for Teagasc education as the first group of students to complete the land-based apprenticeships graduated on Wednesday 4 February at the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.
After two years of earning while learning, 47 apprentices achieved higher certificates in the four land-based programmes. Of these, nine completed the technical farm operations (Level 6), seven completed the sustainable farm management (Level 7), nine completed the horticulture (Level 6), and 22 graduated in sportsturf management (Level 6).
Graduates were presented with their certificates by Marian Harkin, Minister of State with special responsibility for further education, apprenticeship, construction and climate skills. Awards were presented for apprentice of the year in each of the four programmes on the day.
Conor Comerford came out tops from the horticulturist apprenticeship programme, Mike Madden from the farm technician apprenticeship programme, James Kiely received the accolade from the sportsturf management apprenticeship programme and Jack Corkery, was recognised from the farm manager apprenticeship group.
Speaking at the graduation, Dr Stan Lawler, director of knowledge transfer in Teagasc acknowledged the importance of this learning model.
“Today is a fantastic day for Teagasc and all the partners who have worked with us on the development of these apprenticeships. The new programmes that we’ve set up have re-established apprenticeships as a really important and valuable way for people to upskill in a very real way. At the same time, you learn the environment,” says Stan.
“The fact that you’re in employment means the employer is very much bought into your development as well. All of that comes together to make it a very unique and valuable additional offering.
“Now, with the graduates coming through, we can see the fruition of that as being established and up and running.”
The land-based apprenticeships are really innovative in their nature, and serve a need for industry, which keeps the programmes “current and relevant”, according to David Nevin, National Apprenticeship Office.
Teagasc marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, 4 February with the graduation of apprentices from its higher education apprenticeship programmes./ John Ohle Photography
Apprentice development
“Apprenticeship is grounded in industry needs, so all new apprenticeships that are developed are developed by consortia of industry employers and educators. They know the needs of their industry, and they keep the programmes current and relevant. Because of that, we expect that the graduates from today’s event will go into employment and do great things.
We had a piece of research done by the CSO last year that showed in excess of 90% of apprentices graduating go on to employment,” he explains.
David emphasised the importance of highlighting the multiple pathways that people can now take to develop a career.
“Were happy to see the growth in apprenticeships over the last 10 years, with 78 apprenticeships nationally and more in development. In terms of breaking down barriers [to further education], what we have done over the last 10 years, in particular, is to try and grow the apprenticeship system, through Generation Apprenticeship.
To show people that higher education, whilst it’s a valuable and fantastic option and one that I took myself, is not the only option, and that there are many other options available, such as apprenticeships and FET.
“We really encourage people to look at all the options and pick an option that suits them, suits their approach to learning, suits their interests and where they want to go in their career,” says David.
If anyone is considering one of the four land-based apprenticeships, Teagasc are hosting open days throughout their colleges in March and have advised prospective students to go along and speak to faculty members or email the colleges.
For more information, visit teagasc.ie/education/apprenticeships.
Catch the live action from the graduation ceremony below.
SHARING OPTIONS