The first stage in the Green Cert review has been completed. The review of the Level 5 and Level 6 awards was completed by the standards review group, which was led by Teagasc. The review has received approval from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and it will not affect those starting the Green Cert this year.

The two reviewed awards “are intended to be in place for September 2017”, according to the head of Teagasc education, Tony Pettit.

Although the Green Cert has changed a lot in content, it has been 30 years since the course has been fundamentally reviewed.

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Teagasc is working on its own Education Vision project, which is expected to be complete by next spring.

This will “establish what are the broader and longer-term education needs of the landbased sector,” Tony Pettit said.

“This exercise is scheduled to be completed in spring 2017 and is a separate exercise to the QQI award review.”