Farm work placement is a new experience

Editorial Department • Published 11 Feb 2010 10:04 0 Comments

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Work experience is an important part of the National Diploma in Agriculture (NDA) course at Greenmount Campus and sits nicely with our philosophy of 'learning by doing' says Kenneth Johnston, Senior Lecturer, Greenmount Campus

The course runs for three years with the second year spent working on a farm away from home. The aim of this work experience year is to enable the student to develop their interpersonal, managerial and practical skills. They learn to receive and give instructions, to use their initiative and the importance of punctuality and reliability. They learn about managing farm enterprises and running a farm business and they gain useful experience about working in a farming environment and working for an employer as part of a team. Of course the years work experience is also very beneficial when they come to apply for a job. Many job advertisements ask for at least one year's experience working in the industry and those who have completed their year's work placement therefore have an advantage.

Most of our students are placed on approved farms in Northern Ireland but some choose to go to farms in the Republic of Ireland or farther a-field. This year one student went to work on a mixed farm in Scotland, another is working on a dairy farm in England and another is on a beef and sheep farm in the Republic of Ireland. Working away from home for a year and living independently develops the student's personality and maturity very rapidly. Most students thoroughly enjoy their work placement and keep in touch with their work experience providers for years after they have moved on to full-time employment.

Greenmount Campus is interested in hearing from farmers who want to take a student for 12 months on work experience. The year runs from August to July and during that time the student will work on the farm as a full-time employee. Anyone who wants to know more about work placement should contact Joe Mulholland, NDA work experience co-ordinator at Greenmount Campus, Antrim, BT41 4PU, Tel 028 8675 7500, ring the College, freephone on 0800 028 4291 or visit the College website at www.cafre.ac.uk

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Feb 10

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