Maria Walsh, MEP visited Mountbellew Agricultural College last week to officially launch a brand new Teagasc QQI Level 5 Farm Safety & Assurance module, of which the first round will be delivered specifically to women working in the agri-sector.
The objective of this training is to provide a comprehensive overview of possible hazards, risks and accidents common to farms and agri-businesses. Also included are practical and efficient methods to control, avoid and reduce farm accidents and hazards.
Safe tractor operations, food assurance and traceability along with animal health and welfare completes the training programme. Particular emphasis will be placed on the safe execution of common farm safety and farm assurance operations including tractor, tractor/loader, tractor/trailer combinations and attaching a mounted PTO driven machine.
Mountbellew Agricultural College is the first college to offer this component award with capacity for 15 students per group and a start date of July 2022 and it is planned to roll out the course nationwide in due course.
MEP Walsh said that she is delighted to support Teagasc and Mountbellew Agricultural College to officially launch the new Farm Safety and Farm Assurance module supporting our female farmers.
“This is an incredibly important time for our farming sector and it is fundamentally important to upskill and reskill. The power of knowledge in operating and handling machinery, as well as growing awareness around safety is vital.
“This course has come at a crucial time and adds to the call for more recognition, funding and support for our female farmers. I welcome this module as it’s a further step in supporting equality in our farm sector.”
Maria continued by saying, “I desperately need this course to grow my lack of confidence in driving and handling machinery! You can quote my father Vincent for that.”
Anne Marie Butler, Head of Education said Teagasc continues to work with their learners and colleges to deliver practical, knowledge based courses which equip learners for the agriculture industry.
“We are delighted to work with our Mountbellew colleagues to develop this exciting, practical and much sought after course to learners.”
She continued by saying; “We are delighted to work with female participants on this intake and we look forward to offering this component across our education network. Our course offerings are continuously evolving with much greater emphasis on preparing the next generation of farmer to meet multiple production objectives, while most importantly staying safe.”
Edna Curley, Principal of Mountbellew Agricultural College said; “Mountbellew Agricultural College is delighted to join with our colleagues in Teagasc to deliver this bespoke training to women working in the agri-food sector. We hope that this is just the first of many groups of learners that will undertake this training programme with us in Mountbellew.”
For more information about the new Level 5 Farm Safety & Assurance module please visit https://www.teagasc.ie/education/courses/
