Teagasc- Advanced cer Agriculture Distance Llearning

2late8

Has anyone here done the Teagasc Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Distance option)? Thinking of applying for it. Is it do able with another full time job away from farm. Any ifo at all on it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Zr105

2late8 wrote: »

Has anyone here done the Teagasc Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Distance option)? Thinking of applying for it. Is it do able with another full time job away from farm. Any ifo at all on it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Have the application in, have talked to a few lads before that were working and doing it, they said it should be no problem at all but you do need an understanding boss as you will be looking for a day a month off through out the course then probably a few days at the end for exams and stuff.

As far as i know they try there best to give you a list of the dates you will need off at the start of the course so you can arrange it.

Id get the application in sooner than later tho, this is second year applying as i didnt get there in time last year, but they have made the application process a lot fairer this year with the po box, last year lads were queing up outside the office doors in the morning.....

Farrell

Zr105 wrote: »

Have the application in, have talked to a few lads before that were working and doing it, they said it should be no problem at all but you do need an understanding boss as you will be looking for a day a month off through out the course then probably a few days at the end for exams and stuff.

As far as i know they try there best to give you a list of the dates you will need off at the start of the course so you can arrange it.

Id get the application in sooner than later tho, this is second year applying as i didnt get there in time last year, but they have made the application process a lot fairer this year with the po box, last year lads were queing up outside the office doors in the morning.....

Where is it being held?
Is there a education requirement?

2late8

Thanks ZR105. Didn't realise the demand for the course was so high, better get a move on with the application!!
Details of how intense the workload is are fairly minimal; think they could say a little bit more about what is required in the practical elements + diary etc.

Farrell, you need a level 6 qualification or higher to gain entry. If you google "Teagasc long distance learning green cert," you will find the info they have on it.

Would love to hear from someone who has done it or know someone who has done it, get a bit more info for what/how much work is required

2late8

Been held across the country Farrell

Zr105

2late8 wrote: »

Thanks ZR105. Didn't realise the demand for the course was so high, better get a move on with the application!!
Details of how intense the workload is are fairly minimal; think they could say a little bit more about what is required in the practical elements + diary etc.

Farrell, you need a level 6 qualification or higher to gain entry. If you google "Teagasc long distance learning green cert," you will find the info they have on it.

Would love to hear from someone who has done it or know someone who has done it, get a bit more info for what/how much work is required

There's a bit more info on topics to be covered in the application forms, but it seems they wont set the exact courses till they see where the demand lays in terms of applications!

larrymiller

I've been talking to some one about this, in each course there's about 35 or so places. There has been 120 plus people interested.
This is for the south east.
MAYBE teagasc will be given more staff to accommodate more students

nashmach

Zr105 wrote: »

Have the application in, have talked to a few lads before that were working and doing it, they said it should be no problem at all but you do need an understanding boss as you will be looking for a day a month off through out the course then probably a few days at the end for exams and stuff.

As far as i know they try there best to give you a list of the dates you will need off at the start of the course so you can arrange it.

Id get the application in sooner than later tho, this is second year applying as i didnt get there in time last year, but they have made the application process a lot fairer this year with the po box, last year lads were queing up outside the office doors in the morning.....

That is a good summary to be honest in terms of the time committment.

You also need to be fairly dedicated with the study to get through the various exams.

If you are actively involved on the farm and have a good system of recording and collecting receipts/payments etc, the diary is very easy - just a matter of spending 10 minutes or so on it every week.

larrymiller wrote: »

I've been talking to some one about this, in each course there's about 35 or so places. There has been 120 plus people interested.
This is for the south east.
MAYBE teagasc will be given more staff to accommodate more students

Sounds like I was lucky so to start it 3/4 years ago then! Demand was only picking up for it at that stage - south east again.

larrymiller

nashmach wrote: »

That is a good summary to be honest in terms of the time committment.

You also need to be fairly dedicated with the study to get through the various exams.

If you are actively involved on the farm and have a good system of recording and collecting receipts/payments etc, the diary is very easy - just a matter of spending 10 minutes or so on it every week.



Sounds like I was lucky so to start it 3/4 years ago then! Demand was only picking up for it at that stage - south east again.

Main is reason is 25% top up for young farmer under new cap.

How was it in general? Did they stick to the one day or was it a bit all over the place?

nashmach

larrymiller wrote: »

Main is reason is 25% top up for young farmer under new cap.

How was it in general? Did they stick to the one day or was it a bit all over the place?

It is the only reason at this stage really IMO.

It was fine, nothing taxing and nothing like doing a difficult degree in college or indeed working and studying for professional exams.

By no means a walk in the park either but once you kept with it and were seen to be working most had no bother.

They gave out a list of dates at the start and there was no deviation from that so it was good from a planning point of view.

Due to work travel I missed the final exam days for my group but was no problem going in with a later group to complete it.

I should also say that the days were quite long - typically a 8am start for an exam and often not done till 5.30 to cover stuff.

Also, at the beginning some of the classes were after work at 7pm which is fine if your work is nearby but with nearly 150km between work and college it was not the best. Something to bear in mind.

According to tabloid headlines in the IFJ last week, entries could be well up.

Farrell

nashmach wrote: »

I should also say that the days were quite long - typically a 8am start for an exam and often not done till 5.30 to cover stuff.

Also, at the beginning some of the classes were after work at 7pm which is fine if your work is nearby but with nearly 150km between work and college it was not the best. Something to bear in mind.

According to tabloid headlines in the IFJ last week, entries could be well up.

Did you have to take many days off work

nashmach

Farrell wrote: »

Did you have to take many days off work

Think it was 13 full days.

Would have needed a few half days as well for the evenings I mentioned above but boss was understanding and I worked those hours back instead.

larrymiller

Would I be far off if I said, 12 this year 22 next year?
This is the course for people WITHOUT a level 6

C0N0R

larrymiller wrote: »

Would I be far off if I said, 12 this year 22 next year?
This is the course for people WITHOUT a level 6

What do you require to do the course without a level 6?

nashmach

larrymiller wrote: »

Would I be far off if I said, 12 this year 22 next year?
This is the course for people WITHOUT a level 6

I thought that particular course was over 3 years or so?

larrymiller

nashmach wrote: »

I thought that particular course was over 3 years or so?

Yup I think October to December 2014
Jan to April 2015
Oct to December 2015
Jan to April or so 2016
Open for correction

Zr105

larrymiller wrote: »

Yup I think October to December 2014
Jan to April 2015
Oct to December 2015
Jan to April or so 2016
Open for correction

I'm guessing thats the one that started there last autumn and is being run through the local centres? Rang about it and when they said 3years to cover it i said eh no......

This is the one the lads mean;
http://www.teagasc.ie/training/courses/dist_ed_green_cert.asp

It's done over the course of 18months or there abouts, and is more online based

Tibulus

Im currently doing it in Mullingar and find it good. Had friends do the previous course in Roscommon and they advised me to avoid it as the dates change on a weekly basis.

The course isn't a joke but its not rocket science either, once you give each exam a 4-6 hours the week before and keep up to date with the assignments and diary's.

Alot of the material is useful such as crop production, milk production etc. Found the discussion groups to be quality but there is crap put in , the like of tractor skills, pesticide application, communications etc.

Work has been more than accommodating, taking a Thursday off each month just means that I end up working later on the Wednesday and Friday to carry the same work load. Then all my holidays are and cant take 2 weeks off in the summer!

larrymiller

Tibulus wrote: »

Im currently doing it in Mullingar and find it good. Had friends do the previous course in Roscommon and they advised me to avoid it as the dates change on a weekly basis.

The course isn't a joke but its not rocket science either, once you give each exam a 4-6 hours the week before and keep up to date with the assignments and diary's.

Alot of the material is useful such as crop production, milk production etc. Found the discussion groups to be quality but there is crap put in , the like of tractor skills, pesticide application, communications etc.

Work has been more than accommodating, taking a Thursday off each month just means that I end up working later on the Wednesday and Friday to carry the same work load. Then all my holidays are and cant take 2 weeks off in the summer!

Is that the distance coUrse for people with level 6 then yeah?

Tibulus

larrymiller wrote: »

Is that the distance coUrse for people with level 6 then yeah?

Yes, distance learning just means that they give you the books to read/study in your own time opposed to sitting in a class room having someone read them to you.

Zr105

Tibulus wrote: »

Im currently doing it in Mullingar and find it good. Had friends do the previous course in Roscommon and they advised me to avoid it as the dates change on a weekly basis.

The course isn't a joke but its not rocket science either, once you give each exam a 4-6 hours the week before and keep up to date with the assignments and diary's.

Alot of the material is useful such as crop production, milk production etc. Found the discussion groups to be quality but there is crap put in , the like of tractor skills, pesticide application, communications etc.

Work has been more than accommodating, taking a Thursday off each month just means that I end up working later on the Wednesday and Friday to carry the same work load. Then all my holidays are and cant take 2 weeks off in the summer!

I wouldn't consider the pesticides application course a waste to be honest, by the looks of it atm it'll cover you for the sustainable use/sprayer operator stuff thats just been introduced

Tibulus

Zr105 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider the pesticides application course a waste to be honest, by the looks of it atm it'll cover you for the sustainable use/sprayer operator stuff thats just been introduced

Hopefully it will cover me but Teagasc have not confirmed that yet. Was still a painful day to sit through!

nashmach

Zr105 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider the pesticides application course a waste to be honest, by the looks of it atm it'll cover you for the sustainable use/sprayer operator stuff thats just been introduced

Either would I but the one we did doesn't cover me for spraying so looking at forking out more money as a result - not one bit happy!

Zr105

nashmach wrote: »

Either would I but the one we did doesn't cover me for spraying so looking at forking out more money as a result - not one bit happy!

Ah thats a b**ls anyways thought it did, wonder with the introduction if the directive would they up that element of the course to cover it well enough from here out?

capslock88

did anyone know any public servants doing the course?...im teaching and not sure how i could take 13 weekdays off during the year?...

Miname

capslock88 wrote: »

did anyone know any public servants doing the course?...im teaching and not sure how i could take 13 weekdays off during the year?...

chances are you have the most of them off already:D

nqtfarmer

I'm in the same boat as you Capslock, I rang and they told me there would be minimal days required after May. I suppose if you had an understanding Principal. Worst of all, I'm still not permanent so won't be going for it this year.

Dont be daft

When I did it, it was very flexible.

I had a bad accident and I couldn't complete the course on time. When I finally got back going again I had all the projects, most of the exams and a good few of the practicals left to do.

I did it all over about 2 weeks. I was under a bit of pressure to get it done, running around doing practicals in Grange in the morning then discussion groups in Naas and sit a few exams in Portlaoise, then home and work on the Projects etc. etc. but I ticked all the boxes.

I was actually enjoying it, when it was one day at a time. Getting out of the Office for the day, having the craic with the lads, talking ****e, hawking around some lads yard at the discussion groups

Conmaicne Mara

capslock88 wrote: »

did anyone know any public servants doing the course?...im teaching and not sure how i could take 13 weekdays off during the year?...

Sure you don't get in trouble until you miss 20 days of school :P

nashmach

Zr105 wrote: »

Ah thats a b**ls anyways thought it did, wonder with the introduction if the directive would they up that element of the course to cover it well enough from here out?

They should do!

capslock88 wrote: »

did anyone know any public servants doing the course?...im teaching and not sure how i could take 13 weekdays off during the year?...

There were a few teachers (secondary school) doing it when I did it.

A good few of the days were in June and August with a lot following on various breaks such as the mid terms and the Easter holidays but you would need an understanding principal.

Miley2

Has anyone any idea what the Level 6 Major Award declaration form is and where I get it.

I have my degree cert but it says I need this form signed too

Zr105

Miley2 wrote: »

Has anyone any idea what the Level 6 Major Award declaration form is and where I get it.

I have my degree cert but it says I need this form signed too

Its in the application form download as far as i can remember, it's just a page with a couple of lines that you sign to say that you have completed the course and believe it to be a level 6 or above according to the national qualification frame work yokey.

Edit to say its the 8th page of the application form download on the website

Dont forget the copy of your degree needs to be stamped by local office to say its a genuine copy

Farrell

Zr105 wrote: »

Its in the application form download as far as i can remember, it's just a page with a couple of lines that you sign to say that you have completed the course and believe it to be a level 6 or above according to the national qualification frame work yokey.

Edit to say its the 8th page of the application form download on the website

Dont forget the copy of your degree needs to be stamped by local office to say its a genuine copy

So you have to call into the local office to get signed, could probably hand in then too. Deadline is Friday isn't it

Zr105

Farrell wrote: »

So you have to call into the local office to get signed, could probably hand in then too. Deadline is Friday isn't it

You have to get copy of your degree stamped and signed, and you wont be able to hand it in either, all has to go to a po box in tip this year!

Miley2

Thanks ZR105. Went in the post today

2late8

Application process is painful enough when you have hidden half the documents you need!!

larrymiller

Well any of yee apply, 2 friends did, closing date was Friday wonder how long they'll have to wait to find out more

Zr105

larrymiller wrote: »

Well any of yee apply, 2 friends did, closing date was Friday wonder how long they'll have to wait to find out more

Was just about to post in here to see if anyone had heard anything! They updated the website the other day to say they were going through the applications that arrived on time

larrymiller

Zr105 wrote: »

Was just about to post in here to see if anyone had heard anything! They updated the website the other day to say they were going through the applications that arrived on time

Where abouts was that? Could you throw up a link?

Zr105

larrymiller wrote: »

Where abouts was that? Could you throw up a link?

http://www.teagasc.ie/training/courses/dist_ed_green_cert.asp

nashmach

If I remember rightly it probably is around mid August when you will know.

Seem to remember mine coming during harvest anyway.

Zr105

Looks like your right nashmach!

Update yesterday;
Update Wednesday 23rd July 2014.
Teagasc has received a very substantial number of applications for its Green Cert programmes. The large volume of applications is currently being processed. Teagasc is also assessing how courses may be best organised, scheduled and resourced to meet the exceptional level of applications.
It will not be possible to confirm the status of individual applicants until later this autumn. This website will be updated in mid-September with further information.
Please continue to check the website for updates.
Late applications may be submitted until further notice (please consult the website for updates on this). However please note that applications received after the official closing date (11th July 2014) will be treated as a ‘late’ application relative to other applications


The fact their allowing late applications sounds hopefull to me, seems like their going to run enough courses to facilitate all! Fingers crossed anyways!

nashmach

Zr105 wrote: »

The fact their allowing late applications sounds hopefull to me, seems like their going to run enough courses to facilitate all! Fingers crossed anyways!

Must admit given all the talk about lack of resources not sure that they would do this....

It would also mean just a glut in the system and then maybe a low level for a few years and not sure if that would work for Teagasc.

Zr105

nashmach wrote: »

Must admit given all the talk about lack of resources not sure that they would do this....

It would also mean just a glut in the system and then maybe a low level for a few years and not sure if that would work for Teagasc.

Thats very true! I duno, I'll be keeping fingers crossed for the moment anyways... Some pain that they wont announce till late in year...

larrymiller

Ok so there's 2 part time courses, 1 for people with level 6 and 1 with out, when teagasc update there website are they on about both of them?

FarmerDougal

larrymiller wrote: »

Ok so there's 2 part time courses, 1 for people with level 6 and 1 with out, when teagasc update there website are they on about both of them?

Updates on website are about distance ed option (level 6 required). Info on the part time course (2 evenings a week over 2/3 years) is available through local offices.

Zr105

Well lads anyone else going to be in kildalton on the 10th dec?

FarmerDougal

Zr105 wrote: »

Well lads anyone else going to be in kildalton on the 10th dec?

Yep..it says gurteen is the course location but id be alot closer to ballyhaise?? Where didu get?

Kevhog1988

Would this be advisable for someone who is looking at just getting a few cattle as a hobby more then anything?? Like how will i benefit?
Im 26 and have two level 8 construction related degrees so i think i should qualify.

4odh4n

i got offer for ballyhaise, living in east donegal

Zr105

Kildalton, strange when your closer to ballyhaise, but it could possibly be to do with numbers, I suppose Ballyhaise would be one of the further north colleges so perhaps it filled from more northern counties

4odh4n wrote: »

i got offer for ballyhaise, living in east donegal

That'll be a bit of a trek for you but atleast your not gona be up and down 2or 3 times a week... Probably as I said above its the more northern of the colleges...