Teagasc Celebrates Graduation of Ireland’s First Higher Education Apprentices in Land-Based Sectors

Teagasc celebrated the graduation of Ireland’s first Higher Education Apprentices in Land-Based Sectors at an event yesterday, Wednesday, 4 February in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.  Graduates were presented with their certificates by Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills. Minister Harkin is pictured with the winners of the Apprentice of the Year 2025 awards in the four programmes (L to R), Conor Comerford, Horticulturist Apprenticeship Programme; Mike Madden, Farm Technician Apprenticeship Programme; James Kiely, Sportsturf Management Apprenticeship Programme; and Jack Corkery, Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme.

The Graduation event took place in Tullamore yesterday, Wednesday, 4 February. Graduates were presented with their certificates by Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills.

Teagasc’s involvement in apprenticeships began following a national call in 2017 for consortia-led apprenticeship proposals. Traditionally a provider of Further Education Level 5 and Level 6 programmes, Teagasc partnered with industry-led Consortia Groups to develop apprenticeship pathways aligned to workforce needs in the land-based sector.

The journey from concept to delivery was extensive, involving approval of project plans, occupational profiles, legislation, HEA funding and QQI programme validation, alongside close collaboration with the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) and the network of SOLAS Authorising Officers. In 2023, QQI validation confirmed Teagasc as an approved provider of higher education apprenticeship programmes, creating new alternative routes into higher education.

The Sportsturf Apprenticeship addresses a critical skills need across pitches, golf courses, and racecourses nationwide. Prior to its approval, learners were required to complete training outside Ireland. The horticulture sector offers diverse career opportunities across food production, nurseries, landscaping, gardens, and parks.

Agricultural apprenticeships play a vital role in addressing generational renewal, skills transfer, and sustainability in farming. The Farm Technician and Farm Manager apprenticeships were designed to be inclusive and to embed Universal Design for Learning, while developing both technical competence and essential soft skills. Graduates represent a skilled workforce supporting Ireland’s future food security, climate goals, and generational renewal.

Apprenticeships rely on the commitment of SOLAS-approved employers and workplace mentors, whose contribution was recognised at the graduation. Off-the-job training is delivered through Kildalton College, Clonakilty Agricultural College, and the College of Amenity Horticulture, Botanic Gardens, supported by industry engagement and Teagasc research and advisory expertise.

This milestone aligns with national apprenticeship policy, as consultation continues the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, with Teagasc actively contributing to shaping the future of apprenticeship in Ireland.

Teagasc marked a significant milestone yesterday, Wednesday, 4 February with the graduation of apprentices from its higher education apprenticeship programmes in Agriculture, Horticulture and Sportsturf at an event in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Pictured are the graduates of the four apprenticeship programmes, along with college principals and lecturers, and guests.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Dr. Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer, said; “Today marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2017 to re-introduce the apprenticeship model as an additional education and training opportunity for the agriculture, horticulture and sports turf sectors. The linkage with real-world training and skills needs through the support of the industry consortia, combined with the practical and hands-on ‘earn as you learn’ approach makes it an exciting and attractive option for learners into the future”.

David Nevin, Manager, Transformation and Development, National Apprenticeship Office, said: “The National Apprenticeship Office are delighted to join with Teagasc and the consortia to celebrate this, the first graduation of these innovative land-based apprenticeship programmes. These graduates leave today not just with a higher education qualification but with the practical skills, industry experience and personal resilience that come from the unique nature of the apprenticeship earn and learn model. They are the innovators, problem solvers, and future leaders of their professions. My congratulations to the graduates and wish them every success in their careers”.

The graduates of the Sportsturf Management, Horticulturist, Farm Technician and Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programmes were presented with their certificates by Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills.

Minister Harkin also presented the Apprentice of the Year 2025 awards to the winners of the four programmes:

• James Kiely, Sportsturf Management Apprenticeship Programme
•  Conor Comerford, Horticulturist Apprenticeship Programme
• Mike Madden, Farm Technician Apprenticeship Programme
• Jack Corkery, Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme