15 August 2023
New Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme
The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is for anyone who wishes to pursue a managerial career in the agricultural sector or existing personnel employed on farms to progress with their existing educational qualifications.
The programme will provide the person with the latest research and best practice management knowledge to successfully run a commercial farm business.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:
Be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer
- Farm Technician Apprenticeship qualification (Higher Certificate in Technical Farm Operations – NFQ Level 6*)
or - Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (or equivalent) Award*
or - Level 7 Specific Purpose Professional Dairy Diploma in Farm Management*
or - Anyone working in the agricultural sector must be 18 year old or older working in the agricultural sector (2 years full-time) with the relevant experience and equivalent educational experience (NFQ Level 6 or higher*) deemed acceptable by employer and consortium and subject to the validation of supporting evidence and/or assessment process.
*A qualification deemed equivalent on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications to any of the qualifications listed above.
How to Become an Apprentice Farm Manager
Step 1
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:
- Be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer.
- Meet the entry requirements.
Step 2
- The approved SOLAS Employer will start the registration process with SOLAS (The Further Education & Training Authority).
Step 3
- Applicant’s application will be assessed by Teagasc in consultation with SOLAS.
Step 4
- If successful, applicant will be registered as an apprentice both with SOLAS and Teagasc.
Step 5
- Apprentice will be called for induction training and off-the-job learning block release
Programme Structure
Apprentices will be trained in a progressive manner and will get to put their skills into practice during both on and off the job training stages. On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Farm Manager.
Employers are asked to support employees throughout their learning journey by engaging and facilitating mentor one-to-ones on a regular basis. Employers will be issued with advice on this during induction training.
The block release programme has been designed to minimise the impact of the apprentice’s absence for the work place. Block release allows for employers to plan for the apprentice’s absence throughout off-seasons. Attendance is compulsory and apprentices will attend classes, practicals, labs and field trips while off-the-job. Assessments will take place also in this period. Off-the-job training will be a total of 10 weeks per year.
Programme Modules
Year 1 / Stage 1
- Farm Finance & Strategic Management
- Health & Safety Management
- Sustainable & Environmental Farm Managemen
- Farm Product Quality & Operations Management
Year 2 / Stage 2
- Manager Skills – Leadership; Delegation; Decision Making
- Economic Sustainability & Labour Management
- Farm Infrastructure & Regulations
- Climate Smart Farm Technologies
- Apprentice Project
More Information on the new Farm Manager Apprenticeship