IT Tralee is preparing to offer its agricultural engineering graduate students the option to pass the Green Cert as part of their course.

Many students are from a farming background and integrating farming modules in their education would mean that “if they want to take over a farm later, they’re qualified farmers”, said lecturer Fergal O’Sullivan. “It’s important for their parents as well.”

As a first step, the college is planning to introduce farming education into its BEng in agricultural engineering, which is more focused on machinery design and manufacturing. A regular review of the course is scheduled for next year, and another change under consideration is the admission of former apprentices, said head of department Pat Carney.

IT Tralee also offers a BSc in agricultural mechanisation in partnership with the FTMTA, which is focused on machinery service and includes three semesters of work experience in a dealership. This course is getting an update too, with more emphasis on hydraulics, transmission and precision farming to answer industry demands, O’Sullivan said.

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