Laois Transition Year school team scoops top top prize

A team of Laois Transition Year (TY) students has taken the top prize in a pilot project that is set to be rolled out across Ireland to encourage more young people to take up careers in agriculture.  

Agri Aware and the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) officially launched its Intro to Ag programme for TY students nationwide on Friday, May 16, following its successful trial in the two midland counties.

The official launch of the programme took place at LOETB’s Midlands Skills Centre in Tullamore alongside LOETB schools across Laois and Offaly that took part in the pilot programme this academic year.

Students showcased a wide array of projects on display covering topics from challenges facing the agri-food sector to farm safety. The winners of the Intro to Ag programme were Jack Hyland, Conor O'Shea, Lennon Conroy and Jack Kelly from Clonaslee College, with their project titled ‘Issues in Agriculture’.

The participating pilot schools were: Banagher College, Portlaoise College, Oaklands Community College, Edenderry, Clonaslee College, Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara, Tullamore College, Dunamase College, Portlaoise.

During the past year Intro to Ag participants learned about research, public speaking, group work, practical laboratory work and independent study, CV preparation and mock interviews. The inclusion of case studies on agri-food careers was also included to open students' minds to a future in agriculture, as they experience the world of work through work experience. MORE BELOW PICTURE:

Pictured: Agri Aware Executive Director Marcus O’Halloran pictured with Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, at the official launch of the 'Intro to Ag' programme, set to roll out nationwide in September 2025.

The aim of the Intro to Ag programme is to encourage more students to study Agricultural Science for the Leaving Certificate and to pursue a career in the industry thereafter, in an effort to future-proof the sector that has a growing demand for Agricultural Science graduates to take on a variety of roles across the industry.

The organisers say programme gives students a flavour of what to expect when studying the subject for the Leaving Certificate and offers an insight into career opportunities in the sector.  Intro to Ag aims to be a pathway to guide the next generation of students towards careers in agriculture and food production. It supports them at an important stage in their education, when they are making decisions on subject choices and exploring potential career paths.

Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of LOETB, praised the FET (Further Education and Training) Management team who worked with Agri Aware to develop the programme, as well as the schools that participated its pilot delivery.

"The programme to be rolled out nationally will raise awareness not just of the Leaving Cert subject of Ag Science but of the wide variety of career opportunities that exist right across the food and agriculture sector and will hopefully lead to greater participation in agri-related further and higher-level courses as well," he said the Ratheniska based CEO.

Marcus O’Halloran, Executive Director of Agri Aware Speaking at the Schools Day event and the nationwide of Intro to Ag.

“The pilot of the Intro to Ag programme has been a huge success and it was capped off with a brilliant day on Friday last with everyone who has been a critical cog in the development of the programme. Congratulations to the winners of the programme Clonaslee College and to all the schools who took part in the programme’s pilot. We look forward to seeing you back in the programme next year. Agri Aware is delighted to launch the Intro to Ag programme in partnership with the LOETB and look forward to welcoming students to the programme in September 2025,” he said

READ ALSO: Half of Laois farm workers want higher pay

MORE BELOW PICTURE.

L:R William Minchin, CEO of Agricultural Trust; dairy farmer Jim Mulhall; Agri Aware Communications Officer Eimear Mannion; and Irish Country Living Careers and Education Journalist Sarah McIntosh, who shared insights on the diverse career paths they have taken within the agriculture sector.

Agri Aware, the independent farming and agri-food educational body, is a charitable trust whose mission is to improve the image and understanding of agriculture, farming, and the food industry among the public.

LOETB manages and operates second-level schools, further education colleges, and a range of adult and further education centres delivering education and training programmes across Laios and Offaly.