National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) Training 2011
NOTS will be providing a range of training courses throughout the country in 2011. The NOTS training programme is available to farmers, growers, processors, food businesses, and consultants working in any area of the organic food sector. New entrants, farmers considering the organic option and commercial producers interested in developing their enterprise into an organic business are also eligible.
National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) Training 2011
NOTS will be providing a range of training courses throughout the country in 2011. The NOTS training programme is available to farmers, growers, processors, food businesses, and consultants working in any area of the organic food sector. New entrants, farmers considering the organic option and commercial producers interested in developing their enterprise into an organic business are also eligible.
NOTS are managed through a steering group which has representation from Western Organic Network, and organic certification bodies IOFGA and Organic Trust. The following training programmes are being offered to help support the sector; for further details and updates go to www.nots.ie. We would welcome any ideas that individuals had on training needs that would help their business develop.
Part Funding for Horticulture Training
National Organic Training Skillnet wish to inform businesses in the general area of horticulture e.g. amenity, fruit & vegetables, landscaping green-keeping or forestry that if you have any training needs that you may be able to source 25% funding through our network. The National organic Training Skillnet with funding from the Skillnet Training networks has been in operation since 1998 and has been reducing the cost of training for Irish businesses.
If your business has training requirements of any type, whether directly related to production or retail operations or to the overall business needs that National Organic Training Skillnet is in a position to partially cover training costs for your business. Most types of training can be supported from general production training to business support training such as IT, Food safety, HACCP, Environmental Management, Quality systems etc, or in areas of employee induction, chainsaw training or new product development. Training can be delivered in –house or by bringing trainees together from different businesses. Please note as a condition of our funding, all training courses must be procured through standard tendering processes.
Please note that prior to any decision on training you must contact the our office on 0719640688 or 0861728442 or email your queries to info@nots.ie for further details. Our website www.nots.ie gives an indication of some of the general training that is carried out to date. Please note that the website does not have detail on specialised in house training courses as these are very much based on individual or cluster group demand. We would welcome any queries on specific training that you might have. Membership of our network is free and you do need to be organically certified.
Horticulture Training
Orchard Establishment: The 1 day course covers planning an orchard, soil types, aspect, variety selection, planting andharvesting. Duration 1 day, €50, Organic Centre Leitrim and Seedavers Co Clare dates to be decided.
Orchard Management: The 1 day course covers planning an orchard, pruning and management. Duration 1 day, €50, Organic Centre Leitrim and Seedavers Co Clare dates to be decided.
Setting up a Vegetable Box System: This course gives participants a practical understanding of the basics in establishing a vegetable box scheme and methods to ensure its success. Duration 1 day cost €50 Ballinasloe 28th May.
Soil Biology: 2 day course covering, soil chemistry, compost management and compost tea making. Dates and venues to be decided. This course also relevant to the Livestock Sector Cost €100
Livestock Training
Homeopathy for Animals: This course is an introduction to basic remedies, the essential principles of homeopathy, how to select and apply remedies according to the problems animals present. Duration 1 day Nano Nagle Centre, Mallow Cork & Kilbeggan Co Westmeath dates to be advised €50
DIY AI Training: 5 day course on training to enable farmers to carry out their own AI on their home farm. Dates and training options available nationwide, Cost €400
Organic Egg Production: This course teaches the theory behind organic egg production and the challenges and opportunities of small scale production including understanding of breeds, housing and equipment. Duration 1day. Nano Nagle Centre Mallow Co Cork date to be advised €50.
Organic Pig Production: This course instructs on the differences between organic and conventional pig production, processing techniques and impact on land management. Also breeds, stock management as well as the practicalities of costs and potential income. Duration 2 days Dundrum Co Tipperary 21st May & 11th June Cost €100.
Organic Cereal Production; 1 day course on organic cereal production covering all aspects from sowing to harvesting. Cost €50 Venue Kilbeggan Co Westmeath, 1st and 8th July
Introduction to Organic Broiler Production 1 day course on starting a small scale Organic Broiler Production on the farm; in Nano Nagle Centre; Mallow Co Cork and Co Galway Cost €50 dates to be advised
Processing or Adding Value Training
Cheese, Butter and Yoghurt Making: This practical course guides the trainees as to how they can produce both hard and soft cheese, yoghurt and butter; it also provides the ingredients for the participants to make their own and evaluates their produced items. Duration 3 days: 5th-7th September Tipperary Cost €200;
Meat Butchery Training; 2 day course covering demonstration on how livestock is butchered and packaging and labelling cost €225 dates 25th and 26th May
Pig Butchery and Sausage Making Course: This course will provide demonstration on how to cut up a pig in a day focussing on the different cuts. The 2nd half of the day will provide a practical understanding of sausage making, the methods used to add value to meat products, which cuts of meat and what ratio of meat can be used and what equipment options are available. Tipperary 28th May cost €80; trainees will make their own sausages.
Pig Curing and Smoking: 1 day course on wet and dry curing and smoking. Cost €80; 18th June Dundrum, Co Tipperary
NOTS is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd, funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.
Food Hygiene Training; 1 Day or 2 half days including exam and certification, covering 8 modules. Cost: €70
Distance Learning Training
Certificate in Organics (Distance Learning): This FETAC level 5 courses offers a distance learning option to obtain a Certificate in Organic Horticulture through the completion a choice of modules. In addition to the online training there are also two practical experience days per module. Duration 1 year commencing September 2011;
MSc PG Dip in Organic Farming: This is a part time on-line distance learning course in which there are 8 taught modules over two years and a subsequent MSc project in a topic related to organic farming. Commences in September 2011; Duration 3 years; Requires a full application process;
Other Training
Intensive Restaurant Cookery course 12 week (60 days) training course covering area of organic cookery, restaurant and menu planning, commencing September 2011 Cork
Train the Trainer: This course is FETAC level 6 and it provides the practical knowledge and skills to enable participants to use a systematic approach to training, assessing, evaluating and mentoring trainees. Duration 3 days Boyle, Co Roscommon and Galway dates to be advised Cost €250
Setting up a Farm Shop: 1 day training session from a farm shop owners perspective on the pros and cons of a farm shop; Tues 7th June Fourmilehouse, Co Roscommon Cost €30
One to One Training
National Organic Training Skillnet are also offering a specialist mentoring/ training service that can be tailored to individual farms. This is where farmers can have specialist training or advice on their specific needs. This would involve a farm visit to your farm and advise on how your farm should be planned to maximise for example grass/ clover and or livestock breeding, cereals etc or horticulture. As each case will be specific, costs will vary depending on each farm visit.;
Courses will only proceed subject to sufficient demand, Course will require minimum attendance hence may be cancelled due to insufficient demand. Courses can be purchased online at www.nots.ie.
To book or discuss a training option, Please contact National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) on 0719640688 or 086 1728442 or email info@nots.ie or check out www.nots.ie for further details
There are a limited number of free places for the unemployed on specific courses (certain conditions apply)
Postal Address: National Organic Training Skillnet, The Enterprise Centre, Hill Rd, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim
Part Funding for Horticulture Training
National Organic Training Skillnet wish to inform businesses in the general area of horticulture e.g. amenity, fruit & vegetables, landscaping green-keeping or forestry that if you have any training needs that you may be able to source 25% funding through our network. The National organic Training Skillnet with funding from the Skillnet Training networks has been in operation since 1998 and has been reducing the cost of training for Irish businesses.
If your business has training requirements of any type, whether directly related to production or retail operations or to the overall business needs that National Organic Training Skillnet is in a position to partially cover training costs for your business. Most types of training can be supported from general production training to business support training such as IT, Food safety, HACCP, Environmental Management, Quality systems etc, or in areas of employee induction, chainsaw training or new product development. Training can be delivered in –house or by bringing trainees together from different businesses. Please note as a condition of our funding, all training courses must be procured through standard tendering processes.
Please note that prior to any decision on training you must contact the our office on 0719640688 or 0861728442 or email your queries to info@nots.ie for further details. Our website www.nots.ie gives an indication of some of the general training that is carried out to date. Please note that the website does not have detail on specialised in house training courses as these are very much based on individual or cluster group demand. We would welcome any queries on specific training that you might have. Membership of our network is free and you do need to be organically certified.
