Education pathways for agriculture and the land-based Sector: Teagasc options for school leavers, adult learners and career changers

Brian Morrissey Carmel Finlay Tara Fitzsimons

Teagasc is the primary provider of accredited further (vocational) education for the agricultural and land-based sectors. Teagasc has a major input into higher education and postgraduate education delivery through its extensive partnerships. Teagasc introduced four new apprenticeship programmes for the land-based sector in 2023 and welcomes applications for apprenticeships due to start in September 2026. Teagasc also has a substantial involvement in providing short courses and continuous professional development across the agricultural, land-based and food sectors.

Become a “Trained Farmer”

Teagasc provides a range of courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry and completion of some of these courses meets the qualification requirement to become a ”trained farmer.” National policy has prioritised ”trained farmers” for various farm schemes and incentives. It is expected that future CAP reform will have additional benefits for trained farmers. Note that educational requirements for schemes can change.

Undertake a course or seek equivalence

The education pathways available to anyone seeking trained farmer status depend on their starting point. For example, a person finishing secondary school should consider attending an agricultural college and completing a Teagasc full-time Level 6 course in agriculture, horticulture, equine, or forestry. Someone who already holds a Level 6 or higher major award in a non-agricultural discipline can pursue a Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming by Distance Education. Anyone over the age of 23 can undertake the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming as a part-time course at a regional education centre. A person who holds a qualification, including from jurisdictions outside Ireland, can apply for adjudication to determine if the award is equivalent to the minimum requirement for trained farmer status.

For more details, please refer to the Teagasc Education Graduate Queries webpage.

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants to Teagasc courses may apply for recognition of prior learning to gain exemptions from certain modules based on qualifications they already hold.

For more details, please refer to the Teagasc Education Recognition of Prior Learning webpage.

School leavers – preparing for careers in the land-based sector

In a competitive sector, new entrants to farming, horse production, forestry and horticulture will have to master fresh challenges to progress in the industry. Training with Teagasc will give you the necessary skills. Courses include:

QQI Level 5 Certificate Courses

• Certificate in Agriculture / Horticulture / Horsemanship/ Forestry

QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Courses

• Advanced Certificates in Agriculture – Dairy Herd Management / Drystock Management / Agricultural Mechanisation / Crops & Machinery Management
• Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship
• Advanced Certificate in Equine Breeding (Stud Management)
• Advanced Certificate in Forestry
• Advanced Certificate in Pig Management
• Advanced Certificate in Poultry Management

Learners who wish to gain entry to a Level 6 Advanced Certificate course must first successfully complete a relevant Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture / Horticulture / Horsemanship/ Forestry or an equivalent course. Successful completion of the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate courses confer ”trained farmer” status.

Entry requirements for Teagasc Full-time Level 5 courses

For the 2026 and following academic cycles, applicants for Teagasc Full-Time Level 5 courses must satisfy at least one of the following four entry criteria:

• Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA): Applicants must be 18 years of age on 1 September on the year of entry and meet the “Achieved” standard in four subjects.
• Leaving Certificate – Applicants must be 17 years of age on 1 January following the year of entry to the Teagasc programme, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Leaving Certificate Established with minimum grades of O6/H7 in at least four subjects or,
  • Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) with minimum grades of O6/H7 in at least two subjects and a ‘Pass’ in at least two link modules or,
  • Leaving Certificate Applied with a minimum ‘Pass’ grade achieved.
• QQI Level 4 (or higher) Major award – Applicants must be 17 years of age on the 1 January following the year of entry to the Teagasc programme and hold a QQI Level 4 or higher major award.
• Adult Learners – Applicants must be 23 years of age or older on the 1 September on the year of entry.

Applicants who do not meet one of the above criteria will be required to attend for interview as part of the application process.

For additional information, please refer to Teagasc Education Course Entry Requirements webpage.

Adoption of ALTITUDE charter

On 02 April 2026, Teagasc adopted the ALTITUDE charter, the national charter for universal design in tertiary education. Teagasc recognise the importance of universal design for learning (UDL). For more information, visit the ALTITUDE – National Charter for Universal Design in Tertiary Education webpage.

Adult Green Cert programmes – Part-time and distance education

The Teagasc Adult Green Cert programme confers ”trained farmer” status on those who successfully complete the programme through either part time or distance education.

Part-time Green Cert

The part-time Green Cert programme is offered at Teagasc Regional Education Centres and Agricultural Colleges. This course, accredited by QQI, is 2-to-2.5 years in duration. The qualifications gained are the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture 5M20454 and the Level 6 Specific Purpose in Farming 6S20487. To enter this programme, applicants must be 23 years of age or older when starting. Enquires should be made locally to Teagasc colleges and centres. Subsequently, applications are made online through the Teagasc public website.

Distance Education Green Cert

The Distance Education Green Cert course has been developed to meet the training requirements of graduates from other non-agricultural award programmes who are interested in farming and in achieving ”trained farmer” status. The course is 15-to-18 months in duration. The qualifications gained are the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture 5M20454 and Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming 6S20487. Applicants must be a holder of a Level 6 or higher major award in a non-agricultural discipline. Applicants must also have continuous access to a commercial farm in the Republic of Ireland (home-farm or approved nominated farm) to develop proficiency in farm tasks and complete farm-based assignment and projects. They must have access to all farm details, including financial details, on the nominated farm, and are expected to spend time weekly on this farm and be involved in its operation and management. Applications are made online through the Teagasc public website.

Teagasc Apprenticeship Programmes

The next intake of Teagasc apprentices will take place in August/September 2026. Teagasc currently operate four apprenticeship programmes for the land-based sector, which lead to QQI awards at Level 6 and Level 7, as follows:

• Farm Technician (NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate)
• Farm Manager (NFQ Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree)
• Sportsturf Technician (NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate)
• Horticulturist (NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate)

Apprentices are required to meet the entry requirements of the specific apprenticeships, to be employed by a SOLAS approved employer and to be registered as an apprentice with SOLAS. For further information visit the Teagasc apprenticeships webpage or  email apprenticeships@teagasc.ie.

Higher Education Links

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. Applicants should check the current details of the Higher Education Links Scheme with the relevant higher education institution and on the CAO website.

Higher Education options

Some higher education qualifications are approved for trained farmer status. Applicants should check the current approved qualifications list and scheme terms before applying. For more information, refer to the Revenue list of trained farmer qualifications on Teagasc website or DAFM Resources for the National Reserve and the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers. Please note that the DAFM list of trained farmer qualifications is contained in Appendix A of the terms and conditions document for the respective scheme.

Teagasc Higher Education Partnerships

Teagasc has a longstanding and substantial involvement in higher education provision. There is a wide range of higher-level programmes for the agricultural and land-based sectors available through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Many of these courses are conducted jointly between Teagasc and higher education institutions. Direct recruitment to the courses is through the CAO system with several places reserved for mature learners and holders of designated further education awards. There are also several advanced entry routes which allow Teagasc learners to progress from further education into second year of certain higher-level programmes. Places are limited and learners make applications directly to higher level institutions. Additional information can be obtained on relevant technical university websites.

Lifelong Learning & Continuous Professional Development

Teagasc offer a wide range of courses for adults and agri-food sector employees. Please contact your Teagasc Education Officer or your Teagasc Advisory Region or college for advice on courses in your region. Courses are provided subject to demand, and staff resources. Some of the courses include Farm Safety, Crop Nutrition Management, Discussion Groups, Dairy Production, Grass10 Grazing Management, Forestry, Business, Organic Farming, and Welfare of Animals during Transport.

Teagasc Food Industry Training

Teagasc provides specialist training to the food processing and retail sector in the areas of food safety and quality systems, food legislation, food innovation and new product development. These training programmes are delivered from Teagasc Centres in Ashtown, Dublin and Moorepark, Cork, as well as from other locations around the country or in-company. In addition, businesses can avail of assistance from consultants either at Teagasc locations or in-company to address the individual company development needs or for problem solving.

Locations countrywide

Teagasc have a team of education officers based in all counties, so if you wish to discuss your training needs, you can find their contact details on the Teagasc webpage. Teagasc agricultural and horticultural colleges and Teagasc partner/private colleges hold college open days each autumn and spring for potential applicants and their families. Further information can be obtained from the college of your choice or by visiting the Teagasc Education webpage.

Compiled and edited by Mark McGee and Paul Crosson, Teagasc, Grange Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, and first published in BEEF2026 – Driving Sustainable Performance, additional reading from BEEF2026 is available here.