New Laois Offaly initiative aims to boost part-time farming

Part-time farmers in Laois and Offaly are set to be able to avail of a new tranche of training supports to ensure they can stay in agriculture while being able to earn a second income off-farm.

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Teagasc have announced a new collaboration to deliver what they say is a 'comprehensive' training programmes and 'enhanced' learner support services for agricultural learners.

They say this partnership aims to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural community by providing both accredited and non-accredited training opportunities, ensuring equal access for all to high-quality education and support.

A statement said a key focus of Laois and Offaly ETB's agricultural strategy is the introduction of additional agricultural education through training programmes grounded on agricultural sustainability. LOETB says its target audience for this strategy is primarily part-time farmers in Laois and Offaly. It says that in most cases the target audience, due to necessity, will have off-farm income supplementation.

A statement said a key aim of this strategy is to ensure the continuation of part-time farming despite off-farm income and, where possible, upskill farmers such that, said off-farm income is generated within the agricultural sector.

The hope is to educate farmers in the region to get the most from their land, regardless of size, while ensuring its sustainability and viability for future generations.

Under this new initiative, LOETB and Teagasc says they will offer a diverse range of agricultural training programmes designed to equip learners with relevant skills and knowledge required in the modern agricultural sector. The agencies say collaboration will ensure that participants can gain accredited qualifications that are recognised and valued within the industry as well as non-accredited courses tailored to the specific needs of local farm families and their communities.

A statement said these courses will enhance their knowledge and skillset along with their livelihoods, sustain future generations and overall play a vital role in advancing sustainable agricultural development.

Joe Cunningham is LOETB's Chief Executive.

"LOETB and Teagasc's collaboration marks a significant milestone in efforts to co-deliver both accredited and non-accredited training programmes to the land-based sector, ensuring its sustainability and viability for future generations, as well as enhancing learner support services for participants in Teagasc educational programmes. By combining our expertise, we aim to provide responsive, comprehensive, and high-quality educational opportunities that will greatly benefit agricultural learners, their families, and the broader agricultural community," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured back l-r: Gráinne McGrath, Training Officer (LOETB); Padraig Boland, FET Manager- Strategic Projects (LOETB); Dr Anne Marie Butler, Head of Education in Teagasc; Front L-R: Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of Laois and Offaly Education And Training Board and Professor Frank O' Mara, Director of Teagasc.

Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director said the initiative represents an exciting new initiative and support for Teagasc learners.

"We are delighted to work with LOETB and provide new learner support officers. Our learners are at the centre of all we do at Teagasc Education. As we equip learners with the key skills, technologies and husbandries across agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry, we look forward to strengthening our capabilities in learner support services,” he said.

The agencies say one of the key aspects of this collaboration is the enhancement of Teagasc's learner support services by LOETB. Recognising the importance of comprehensive support for learners, LOETB plans to bring its expertise in educational support services to ensure that all participants have access to the resources they need to progress their educational journey.

The partnership between LOETB and Teagasc gets underway immediately, introducing enhanced learner support services in agricultural colleges and the development of new agricultural training programmes.