Spoiled for choice in field of agri-education

By Serena Gibbons is Education Officer with Teagasc Galway/Clare

THE delivery of the Galway/Clare Teagasc Education courses in February 2020 and the delivery as we enter the twelfth week of COVID-19 restrictions couldn’t be more different.

In February we were busy completing sheep and beef skills on farms with the Level 5 classes, while the Level 6 classes were busy in computer room and classroom completing the final phase of their course.

Thankfully, with the use of Zoom, group phone calls, online exams and the replacement of written exams with assignments, we have been in a position to continue classes and complete the term on schedule.

Before March 12th, very few of us knew what a Zoom call was; now we are using Zoom calls for both work and family life, keeping us all in touch while we are forced to stay apart during the lockdown.

We have received a lot of calls regarding the Green Cert course options over the last few months, as people have more time to gather their thoughts on the next step in their education.

Below are the three main options available to students considering the Green Cert in the Galway/Clare Region.

A – The Distance Course

This course is ONLY available to students who have a FETAC Major Level 6 or higher qualification in a non-agricultural area.

Delivered over an 18 month period, students attend college for a total of 25 days during this  period. These college days take place on normal working days (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm), usually one day/month with a block of five days at the end of the course.

The course fee is €2,990 payable on commencement of course. Additional information for this course is available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege – students can contact the centre of choice directly for enrolment information.

The Distance Courses are available at the following centres: Ballyhaise, 049-4338108; Pallaskenry, 061-393100; Gurteen, 067-21282; Kildalton,       051-644400; Mountbellew, 09096-79205;

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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