The courses are intended for prospective students who are currently employed in the horticulture industry and plan to further their career development in their chosen sector.

Teagasc said the aim of the course is to enable students “to develop a greater understanding of the sciences underpinning their sector, and will also help them improve their skills and competence at a practical level.”

Three new QQI Level 6 component awards will be offered in Ecology and the environment, Garden centre operations and Tree and shrub management.

This will complement the existing awards in Sportsturf science and maintenance, Market gardening, Nursery stock production and Landscape design and construction.

Knowledge of the sector

The courses will be run over a 16-week period and will include both academic and practical training.

Principal of the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens, John Mulhern said: “These courses will equip the learner with the knowledge skill and competence relevant to the sector in which they are employed.”

Following completion of this course students are then able to undertake further full-time or part-time training in horticulture by choosing from the range of Level 5, 6 and 7 courses offered at the two Teagasc horticulture colleges.

Teagasc are also offering a new component award courses at Level 5 on the topics of horticulture mechanisation, landscape construction and maintenance, and plant protection.

Read more

Planting may get underway shortly if the promise of dry weather materialises