Agri Aware and Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) are delighted to announce the return of its Transition year programme Intro to Ag as well as the launch of its Ag Science Co-Ordinator initiative for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science students.
Agri Aware and LOETB came together at the National Ploughing Championships to sign off on this year’s programmes that have begun making their way into classrooms across the country.
After going nationwide last year, Intro to Ag is back again as both Agri Aware and the LOETB go in search of the next national winner of the programme.
In April of this year, the Aviva Stadium played host to the Intro to Ag Fair that saw a special guest appearance from Kaleb Cooper and where Sean Duffy from Virginia College was crowned national winner with his project on ‘Vacuum Silage Making’.
Once again, this year’s Intro Ag Fair will be held at the Aviva Stadium where the next national winner will we announced.
The Intro to Ag Transition Year (TY) programme is designed to encourage students to take Agricultural Science for Senior Cycle, while also introducing them to Further Education and Training (FET) pathways, and career opportunities within the agri sector. The programme also offers the opportunity to gain QQI level 3 accreditation subject to validation.
Furthermore, the Ag Science Co-Ordinator initiative is now available to schools nationwide. As part of the initiative, teachers will have access to resources related to the Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science curriculum, be eligible for school workshops delivered by Agri Aware Education Officers, while study workshops and on-farm visits will be available for students to attend throughout the year.
The goal of the initiative is to enhance students’ understanding of key areas which frequently appear in the Leaving Certificate Paper and provide further information to spark an interest in agri-food careers.
Speaking at the launch of these two initiatives with LOETB, Agri Aware chair Shay Galvin said: “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with the LOETB on both initiatives. Both organisations share the same goal of encouraging and educating the next generation of prospective farmers and agri-food sector employees to pursue a career in the industry. The Intro to Ag TY programme introduces students to the opportunities available in the sector, encouraging them to consider Agricultural Science for Senior Cycle. At Leaving Certificate level, the Ag Science Co-Ordinator supports the teaching and learning of the subject by providing resources that equip students with the knowledge they need to perform well in their exam.”
Commenting on the renewed partnership was LOETB’s Jolene Hall, Further Education and Training Manager who said: “LOETB is delighted to collaborate with Agri Aware once again on the delivery of both the Intro to Ag Transition Year Programme and the Ag Science Co-Ordinator initiative. Building on the success of previous years, this partnership continues to provide young people with valuable opportunities to explore the wide range of education, training and career pathways available within the agriculture and agri-food sector. We look forward to another successful year and to seeing students from across the country engage with these exciting initiatives.”
