Construction downturn spurs demand for more agriculture courses

THE demand for training in agriculture and allied subjects is so great now that the recently formed Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (ETB) has been asked by Athenry member Seamus Hynes to 'get in there and supply new agri-related courses'.

The sudden interest in agri-related courses has been fuelled by the downturn in the building business.

As the counties of Galway and Roscommon are very similar terrain there is a great opportunity for such courses now that the educational boards (formerly VECs) have amalgamated, according to Seamus.

'There is huge interest again in the whole agri sector and this means huge potential for us as an education and training board so it is up to us to get in there and supply these courses,' he told the monthly meeting of the ETB at the Ard Ri House Hotel, Tuam.

Read the full story in this week's paper or on our online digital edition April 3, 2014