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Via Teagasc
The three will now enter into high-level skilled employment.
Three County Limerick men are now at the forefront of a new era for Irish agriculture and turf management.
They were honoured at Teagasc’s graduation of Ireland’s first-ever Higher Education Apprentices in the land-based sectors this week.
The graduation marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2017 to create earn while you learn pathways into high-level skilled employment.
Historically, many of these specialised qualifications required Irish students to travel abroad for training.
Jack Corkery was crowned the ‘Farm Manager Apprentice of the Year 2025’, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management from Kildalton College.
James Patrick Ryan was awarded a Higher Certificate in Technical Farm Operations through Clonakilty College. Ryan is part of the first wave of ‘Farm Technicians’ equipped with the technical competence and soft skills required for modern, high-tech agricultural environments.
Kevin O’Shea was awarded a ‘Higher Certificate in Sportsturf Management from Kildalton College. This specific apprenticeship addresses a critical skill shortage in the maintenance of world-class golf courses, pitches, and racecourses across the country.
“Today marks the culmination of a journey to re-introduce the apprenticeship model as an additional education opportunity,” said Dr Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer. “The hands-on ‘earn as you learn’ approach makes it an exciting and attractive option for learners in the future.”
