Greenmount College currently offers Day-release courses at various centres throughout Northern Ireland in Agriculture at both Level 2 and Level 3 funded through the Jobskills programme. The Traineeship provides students with the opportunity to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively run the modern farm. Course Structure Students attend college one day per week and spend the other four days on work experience on farm, this can be the homefarm or a farm of their choice.
Trainees spend the morning in class and the afternoon out on practical.
Students receive a training allowance through the Jobskills Programme of 40 pounds per week and the appropriate protective clothing. Centres operate according to demand and this year include Armagh, Ballymena, Banbridge, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Greenmount, Limavady and Magherafelt. Course Content During day-release trainees learn the practical aspects of Animal and Grassland husbandry which includes livestock feeding, breeding and selection, fertiliser sowing and grass identification. Instruction in the main animal health skills such as dosing, injecting, dehorning and foot trimming are covered by the college vets. The importance of record keeping to the modern farmer is highlighted on the course and students receive tuition on completing herd books, movement permits, medicine and breeding records.