Teagasc Training
Education and Training
Teagasc provides a suite of training for young entrants, farmers, rural entrepreneurs and executives/operatives in the food industry. Teagasc has a network of over 120 teachers and trainers operating from colleges, local training centres and research centres.
More than 3,500 learners participate in Teagasc further education programmes at levels 5 and 6 and in Teagasc linked higher education programmes at levels 6, 7 and 8. In a typical year 3,000 to 5,000 adult farmers and industry personnel attend Teagasc short training courses and continuous professional development courses.
All education and training programmes are evaluated, upgraded and benchmarked to the best international standards.
National Accreditation
The accreditation of Teagasc’s education and training programmes within the framework of the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is a key element of Teagasc course recognition both nationally and internationally.
Further education and training programmes are available in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and horses. These courses are available at four Teagasc colleges and three Teagasc supported private colleges and at local Teagasc centres depending on demand.
Flexible provision is becoming increasingly important as more and more farmers also have off farm jobs. To meet this need Teagasc provide part-time and distance education programmes in addition to its suite of full-time programmes.
Practical training with approved hosts, home farm involvement and discussion group participation are integral parts of Teagasc courses with participants having the opportunity to develop the skills and competencies associated with their chosen career.
Further Steps
These courses open up a wide range of career options for participants. Many will return to farming either on a full-time or part-time capacity but there are job and career opportunities in the wider agri-food sector for those who are not returning to the family farm. There are also opportunities in the wider land based sector including horticulture, equine and forestry sectors.
Participants who achieve the necessary results at Level 5 and 6 may be able to transfer, or progress to higher education level courses and achieve higher qualifications on the National Framework of Qualifications ladder.
Higher Education Courses
There are now many higher level education options on the CAO list and the number is continuing to expand. Teagasc is a partner of many Institutes of Technology and University College Dublin in the delivery of higher agricultural education. This facilitates the best use of the core competencies of each of the partner institutions.
These courses are accredited by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and higher education learners have the opportunity to progress up to degree level and potentially to post graduate studies. Recruitment to the courses is through the CAO system with a number of places reserved for mature students and holders of designated further education awards accredited by QQI.
The Higher Education Links Scheme enables holders of further education awards to apply for a quota of higher education courses. Specific further education courses are linked with specific higher education courses. Applicants for a higher education course, covered by the scheme, are made through the standard CAO form.
Food Industry Courses
The Irish food industry needs to be able to guarantee the quality of the product it is supplying to increasingly discriminating consumers. In order to maintain and improve market position, food companies must be committed to training their personnel in the technologies required in modern food manufacturing.
Teagasc is the leading supplier of training to the food processing and retail sector in food safety and quality systems, food innovation and new product development. Teagasc provides training in all aspects of food quality and safety with a view to assisting food businesses to meet legal obligations, customer requirements and industry best practice.
Teagasc’s main strengths are derived from broad experience in the food sector and the applied nature of the training programmes provided. Many of our programmes incorporate a practical on-the-job element to optimise the transfer of information and maximise application.
Teagasc food industry training is provided at two main centres, the Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, D15 KN3K, and at Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C997. Training is also provided at the local level and on-site where it is deemed appropriate.