Green cert options

Farmer Jim

Hi lads and lassies, looking at doing the green cert at the moment and I wonder what are my options. I am currently working full time in a permanent job in kerry and my father is farming at home and I plan to take over the family farm in the future. I don't have a level 6 major award so distance learning through teagsc isn't an option. I have found a course offered by Westport college has anybody feedback on this course?

All help greatly appreciated

Farmer_3650

Farmer Jim wrote: »

Hi lads and lassies, looking at doing the green cert at the moment and I wonder what are my options. I am currently working full time in a permanent job in kerry and my father is farming at home and I plan to take over the family farm in the future. I don't have a level 6 major award so distance learning through teagsc isn't an option. I have found a course offered by Westport college has anybody feedback on this course?

All help greatly appreciated

All I know about it is that they provide an online green cert which would be handy for you down in Kerry

discodaveirl

Friend of mine is doing the two nights a week for two years, in Westport seems happy. Another friend is doing one friday a month and swears by it, think im going to be asked to do it soon, the one day a month seems a better option.

Farmer Jim

discodaveirl wrote: »

Friend of mine is doing the two nights a week for two years, in Westport seems happy. Another friend is doing one friday a month and swears by it, think im going to be asked to do it soon, the one day a month seems a better option.

Cheers dave ya would like to do the one Friday a month but don't have the level 6 major award which is needed to get on the course, is you friend attending the college in Westport or doin the online classes?

jlm29

I haven't looked into this at all yet, but I've a feeling I'll be starting to look into it soon- one Friday a month for how long? And a level 6 major award- can this be in any area?

jlm29

jlm29 wrote: »

I haven't looked into this at all yet, but I've a feeling I'll be starting to look into it soon- one Friday a month for how long? And a level 6 major award- can this be in any area?

I just got my act together and opened my laptop and answered those questions for myself

Siamsa Sessions

I'm hoping to start the distance learning one next March with Teagasc in Kildalton.

It's one Friday a month and the odd Saturday. There's a full week then in June/July.

It's a combination of level 5 and level 6, and takes approx. 18 months. Cost is €2,500.

I looked at another course through Kilmuckridge that was €1,900 but I'd have to drive there two evenings a week, which just wouldn't be practical for me given the distance involved.

Farmer Jim

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

I'm hoping to start the distance learning one next March with Teagasc in Kildalton.

It's one Friday a month and the odd Saturday. There's a full week then in June/July.

It's a combination of level 5 and level 6, and takes approx. 18 months. Cost is €2,500.

I looked at another course through Kilmuckridge that was €1,900 but I'd have to drive there two evenings a week, which just wouldn't be practical for me given the distance involved.

Is a level 6 major award needed to get on that course?

Siamsa Sessions

Farmer Jim wrote: »

Is a level 6 major award needed to get on that course?

Yeah, you have to have level 6 or higher: https://www.teagasc.ie/education/courses/course-search/teagasc-distance-education-green-cert.php

jobseek

I have signed up to the one in westport, going to do it through the online method, to me this is a more suitable way for those that work off farm, not using holidays, im about an hour and a half from westport, and had intended traveling back and forth two evenings a week.

I have also confirmed with teagasc that this is the same qualification as the course they offer

dohc turbo2

I did the part time one in Killarney , it dragged out a long time , I was flexible with work so suited me , felt like it went on long time though

jlm29

jobseek wrote: »

I have signed up to the one in westport, going to do it through the online method, to me this is a more suitable way for those that work off farm, not using holidays, im about an hour and a half from westport, and had intended traveling back and forth two evenings a week.

I have also confirmed with teagasc that this is the same qualification as the course they offer

Do you know if anywhere else offers the online version? This seems a bit more manageable than all those Fridays off work! Westport is a bit of a trek for me though for assessment.

jobseek

Dont know of any other online ones

revoke12

Hi there,

I have applied for the "online course" held in palliskennery commencing in Feb im on a waiting list but the guy told me il more than likely be called in Feb.
I am in the same position working fulltime in a job in Kerry but the course im doing is 15-18 months one day a month in Pallis.
I will have keep 12 days hols a year to work around this. I have a level 6 from Ittralee in a course (nothing to do with farming doesnt matter once its level 6 or above) i done after school so they allow me to do this course. You need to have level 6 or above to do the one where it is one day a month for 15-18 months it is mandatory. Im not sure what the process is if you dont have a level 6 I think you need to complete another level 5 before getting this "online course" nothing online about it just its more manageable I would say.

jlm29

Thanks- the mayo one is ideal, because the classes are actually online (I presume video link), and they're all evenings, which would suit better than having to use annual leave for attending classes. I've got small kids, so I need most of my holidays for school hold, etc. It's crazy that there aren't other options that suit people working full time a bit better!

revoke12

Hi jLM29,

May I ask how did you get to do one with online? I was told the "Online" course you still had to attend classes I wasnt never giving an option like you were on the above?
Yea it is crazy that you have give up time when most people are working etc night courses would be perfect or classes on the weekends even for working people.

Thank you

jlm29

revoke12 wrote: »

Hi jLM29,

May I ask how did you get to do one with online? I was told the "Online" course you still had to attend classes I wasnt never giving an option like you were on the above?
Yea it is crazy that you have give up time when most people are working etc night courses would be perfect or classes on the weekends even for working people.

Thank you

I haven't done it at all, I've been looking into options to do the Green cert- someone on here mentioned about doing it in Westport college, and I just looked up the info online. I think it's starting next week though, so I'll probably look into doing this next year.
Presumably the reason the other "online classes" are run mid week and during business hours is that they're run by teagasc, and that's they're working hours. Westport college is privately run, so I assume they can step outside the box and cater for customers!
For the Westport one, you have to attend in person for assessments, but they're on Saturdays, and there's only 4 days I think

revoke12

cool I was just wondering cos the course im doign is called an "online" course but no or little aspects are online still have to attend a class one day a month for 18 months. I really wish there was an online option i could do at home and somehting similar to you but unfortunately that was the course i had to do.

WestportCFE

Hi, our online course now has places on Wednesday and Thursday. It is starting on 27th October. Any questions email admin@westportcfe.ie

jlm29

WestportCFE wrote: »

Hi, our online course now has places on Wednesday and Thursday. It is starting on 27th October. Any questions email admin@westportcfe.ie

Thank you! There's obviously a big demand for it if you're running two concurrently!

WestportCFE

jlm29 wrote: »

Thank you! There's obviously a big demand for it if you're running two concurrently!

At the moment there is the 5th class is nearly full.

Muckit

Have ye many students verified and passed through the fetac process?

Bullocks

WestportCFE wrote: »

Hi, our online course now has places on Wednesday and Thursday. It is starting on 27th October. Any questions email admin@westportcfe.ie

Can you sit in for a few classes if you are doing the online version aswell ?

WestportCFE

Muckit wrote: »

Have ye many students verified and passed through the fetac process?

Yes we have it, is in the hundreds

WestportCFE

Bullocks wrote: »

Can you sit in for a few classes if you are doing the online version aswell ?

Yes this is possible with the wednesday and Thursday class.

WestportCFE

jlm29 wrote: »

I haven't done it at all, I've been looking into options to do the Green cert- someone on here mentioned about doing it in Westport college, and I just looked up the info online. I think it's starting next week though, so I'll probably look into doing this next year.
Presumably the reason the other "online classes" are run mid week and during business hours is that they're run by teagasc, and that's they're working hours. Westport college is privately run, so I assume they can step outside the box and cater for customers!
For the Westport one, you have to attend in person for assessments, but they're on Saturdays, and there's only 4 days I think

It is starting in 3 weeks

johnnyw20

Has anyone signed up to the Westport night course? I've been trying to contact them for the last week and can't get through to anyone

Bullocks

johnnyw20 wrote: »

Has anyone signed up to the Westport night course? I've been trying to contact them for the last week and can't get through to anyone

I have , I rang a few times with no answer aswell a couple of weeks ago but got a txt this morning to say they would be emailing me before the end of the week with details of the course

James1988

This post has been deleted.

johnnyw20

James1988 wrote: »

I'm in the same boat, no reply to any emails or calls. I still haven't registered as wanted confirmation on a question before I booked.

Have the rest of you signed up and paid already? It doesn't seem to be an option anymore in their website...

Hope I haven't missed the boat

I haven't applied yet with cause I wanted to get talk to someone on the phone before I gave €2000 to them.

Bullocks

James1988 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I don't know but I'd say the places could be filled up quickly . I signed up and paid awhile back anyhow

WestportCFE

Bullocks wrote: »

I don't know but I'd say the places could be filled up quickly . I signed up and paid awhile back anyhow

Hi all, course is now full. We are taking names for the waiting list. Pm if you are interested.

johnnyw20

Any one doing the Westport course? I'm starting next Monday

bauney

Yeah I am doing it.

Bullocks

johnnyw20 wrote: »

Any one doing the Westport course? I'm starting next Monday

I'm starting monday aswell , are you online or going to the classes ?

johnnyw20

Bullocks wrote: »

I'm starting monday aswell , are you online or going to the classes ?

Doing the online aswell. I've been trying to do the green cert part time for years but have no level 6. I think the course is a great idea

Bullocks

johnnyw20 wrote: »

Doing the online aswell. I've been trying to do the green cert part time for years but have no level 6. I think the course is a great idea

How's your computer skills ?

johnnyw20

Bullocks wrote: »

How's your computer skills ?

Not good but hopefully I'll get by

Bullocks

johnnyw20 wrote: »

Not good but hopefully I'll get by

I'm more or less the same . I had to use the phone for the dial in the last night but hopefully the sister will have the laptop sorted with whatever it needs to work today

jus_tin4

How you find the westport course? looking at doing this next year

Bullocks

jus_tin4 wrote: »

How you find the westport course? looking at doing this next year

Find it good , it saves travelling and taking time off work so thats a big plus for me

SuperTortoise

jus_tin4 wrote: »

How you find the westport course? looking at doing this next year

I find it very good, have 4 months done now, tutors are good and know their stuff, would recommend it.

68508224

Just wondering how many face-to-face days the online course has? And what months they're scheduled in? Cheers

Muckit

68508224 wrote: »

Just wondering how many face-to-face days the online course has? And what months they're scheduled in? Cheers

Depends when the course starts. But usually at least one week day per month. There are also approx 5 exam days usually held on Sat The course really isnt online. There are 15 physical books. These are your go-to.

Oh also have €2,500 in your back pocket to pay within 3mths of course commencement.

68508224

Muckit wrote: »

Depends when the course starts. But usually at least one week day per month. There are also approx 5 exam days usually held on Sat The course really isnt online. There are 15 physical books. These are your go-to.

Oh also have €2,500 in your back pocket to pay within 3mths of course commencement.

Cheers muckit good to know. Looking at starting it in the next while. Hope it's going well for you.

Muckit

68508224 wrote: »

Cheers muckit good to know. Looking at starting it in the next while. Hope it's going well for you.

I'm out the far side since Christmas .... just waiting on the envelope with 'do not bend' marked on it..... hopefully

jlm29

I thought the online course (in west port) was two evenings per week - actually online though, and that there were only 4 actual attendance days for assessment, and that they’re on Saturdays mainly?

sam keane

I was looking at the online westport course and I was wondering about the timetable. Is it a full three hours two evenings a week or is it depending on the modules.

Bullocks

sam keane wrote: »

I was looking at the online westport course and I was wondering about the timetable. Is it a full three hours two evenings a week or is it depending on the modules.

It's the full three hours

gozzy

How are those that are doing the Westport Green Cert getting on? I see there is a new course in September I was just wondering What are the practicals like I haven't done much farm work in a while besides stand in a gap. although ready to get stuck in as my Dad wants to retire asap. The online options seems great for me save me losing half my years annual leave, I Went to a info evening on the Teagasc one last night it's now 24 months as well as assessment days seem a lot more of practical focused. so was wondering how intense the practicals are on the Westport online course if only 4 days. Any info greatly appreciated..

bauney

Hi Gozzy,
Yeah i am currently doing the green cert online in Westport. Started in September 2017 and finishing Sept/Oct 2018. Classes most Mondays and Tuesdays for hours (6:30 to 9:30). We get days off around midterm, bank holidays, Christmas.  Exams at the end of every quarter (3 months). We are in the 4rd quarter of it. Couple of more weeks left before we are off for the May,June,July and August.  Then couple of classes in September and exams and assessments. Its flying by. 
Practicals are simple and straight forward. No prep was required. The instructors help you along. There are done in groups of 10/12 and just go through some basic stuff like cattle/sheep/spraying practicals examinations. Actually its a bit of craic.
I can only imagine that the green cert course will only get longer and more strict as time goes on so i recommend getting it done.