Farm manager apprenticeship programme open for applications
Teagasc are accepting applications for the Level 7 Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme which will start in September 2025.
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must have a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (or equivalent or higher award), or anyone working in the agriculture sector for 2 years full-time with the relevant experience, and a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 6 or higher qualification, and be directly employed by a SOLAS Approved Employer.
Upon completion of the Farm Manager Apprenticeship programme, the Apprentice will hold a QQI Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management.
FARMER BRIEFINGS
Teagasc Education are hosting Farmer Briefing and Panel Discussions for the Farm Manager Apprenticeship in various locations across the country, next week.
Tuesday, 29 July at 7.00 p.m. in Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Eircode: E32 YW08.
Wednesday, 30th July at 7.00 pm in Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Eircode: P61 C996.
Thursday, 31 July at 7.00 pm in Teagasc Portlaoise, 1 Park Villas, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Eircode: R32 CF21.
See https://teagasc.ie/education/apprenticeships/farm-manager/farm-manager-apprenticeship-farmer-briefing-panel-discussion/.
Free safety training courses for farm families
FRS Co-Op is offering free farm safety training to 300 families this year as part of an ongoing initiative designed to improve safety and wellbeing on Irish farms.
Supported by funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the farm safety training initiative will provide a cost-effective and sustainable training-led approach to foster farm safety and wellbeing within each generation of the family.
The Farm Family CPD programme run by FRS Co-Op comprises five online courses that are designed to change attitudes and behaviours around farm safety to reduce the level of on-farm fatal and non-fatal incidents.
FRS Co-Op encourages all farmers to continuously think about farm safety and wellbeing, and to avail of the free Farm Family CPD courses, which will deliver unique and practical training for all generations of the farm family.
The free training courses will commence in August this year, and all interested families can sign up at www.farmfamilycpd.ie.
Long overdue support scheme for forgotten farmers
ICSA president Sean McNamara has said that the opening of a long-awaited scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers – more commonly known as the Forgotten Farmers – is a very welcome development, albeit one that is long overdue.
“We in ICSA have consistently campaigned for justice for this cohort of farmers who were unfairly excluded from young farmer supports under the last CAP due to a technical anomaly with dates,” said Mr. McNamara.
“While this €5m scheme is limited in scope and capped at €5,000 per applicant, it is a recognition – finally – of the injustice these farmers have faced for nearly a decade,” he added.
Mr. McNamara said he would urge all eligible farmers to apply without delay, as the application window is relatively short.
Online applications must be submitted through the AgFood portal by 5.30 p.m., on 13 August, 2025.
