Pictured at the Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet launch (L-R): Tracey Donnery, Skillnets, Damien English T.D Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Skills, Research and Innovation, Seán Finan, Macra na Feirme National President, Noreen Fitzpatrick, Skillnets, Derrie Dillon, Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet.
The Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet was officially launched by Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Skills, Research and Innovation Damien English T.D. in July at the Macra na Feirme headquarters in Dublin.
The network will provide targeted, informal training to young farmers, under the banner of a ‘Farm Cert’.
Prior to applying for funding for the new network, Macra carried out a training needs analysis, surveying 176 young farmers and interviewing a further 33. One of the key findings from the needs analysis was that young farmers have a relatively high level of formal agricultural training, yet the level of engagement in further training is low. Findings indicated that there is both a lack of further training opportunities available for young farmers, and a limited culture of further training among young farmers. It also showed that the lack of awareness of training was leading to an inadequate understanding of the benefits of training for young farmers.
Seán Finan, National President of Macra na Feirme said: “Young farmers that have finished the Green Cert and who have farmed for a year or two often realise that they need up-skilling in a particular area but sometimes find it difficult to identify a course that fulfils their needs. The new ‘Farm Cert’ further training programme for young farmers will deliver the training that young farmers decide they need themselves, at a time that suits them.”
The Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet plans to provide young farmers with the skills to embrace the exciting developments happening in the sector. To find out more visit www.macra.ie.
This article is from the Skillnets News September 2015 newsletter. Sign up for news updates here.
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