GLAS Special: Teagasc’s new era in Horticultural training
Teagasc’s horticulture apprenticeships offer a blend of on-the-job and formal training
Print18 July 2024
Apprenticeships are big news these days in lots of employment arenas as the fundamental model of “earning while you learn” becomes a real alternative for people entering the workforce and gaining valuable training while employed. Currently, nearly 30,000 apprentices are enrolled in more than 70 national programmes, with women making up more than 10% of these apprentices.
Teagasc as an organisation is strongly invested in the training needs of the Horticulture sector through the formal QQI courses that they offer in their two Horticultural Colleges in The National Botanic Gardens Dublin and Kildalton in Kilkenny.
Both Colleges offer full and part time engagement for people who want to enter the industry or are already employed there. Each year Teagasc train people from all aspects of the sector in both amenity and commercial horticulture.
In mid-2023 Teagasc, along with the Hort sector, rolled out new apprenticeships in Horticulture that have been in planning for the last few years. It marks a new opportunity for all stakeholders in the sector be they employers, current employees or indeed new applicants to the sector.
Paid apprenticeship
Teagasc’s model is a two year paid apprenticeship leading to a Level 6 QQI Higher certificate in either Sportsturf management or Applied Horticulture (streams as follows: Vegetable, Fruit, Landscaping, Nursery, Garden and Parks Management, Garden Centres).
Progression routes to Level 7 degree in Horticulture with University partner SETU, will be possible also for suitably qualified apprentices when they successfully complete their training.
Apprentices will spend 80% of their time across the two years of their apprenticeship in “on the job” training (with their employer) and 20% of their time in “off the job training” (with the training provider Teagasc).
Specific syllabi for different subjects across the streams have been developed and students will be offered block and day release for the “off the job” elements with Teagasc. This will involve face-to-face learning and online delivery in certain circumstances. Normal assessment of all modules will apply and apprentices will have the opportunity to complete projects, reflective diaries, carry out skills assessments and complete end of stage exams to fulfil the requirements of the award. The “on the job” elements of the programme will be supervised by the employer who will be responsible for training and mentoring the apprentice in their business.
Horticulture apprentices at a machinery workshop class in Ashtown
For entry to the scheme applicants should be over 17 years of age and have either a Leaving Certificate or a minimum QQI level 5 in Horticulture. Experience working in the Hort sector will be taken into account also.
For new people looking at horticulture as a career option and are considering an apprenticeship in Horticulture, please consider the following:
- Do you have a good level of fitness and enjoy physical activity and work?
- Are you interested in horticulture and all things plant related in the outside environment?
- Do you have good literacy, verbal and numeracy and computer skills?
- Do you have good interpersonal skills and are happy to work as part of a team?
Employers who wish to be part of the new apprenticeship scheme will have to be registered with SOLAS to take apprentices. Teagasc will conduct pre approvals with the employer and SOLAS will conduct site visits to assess suitability to train apprentices.
For more information, visit: www.apprenticeship.ie or email John.mulhern@teagasc.ie
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