The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently announced funding for Teagasc for 18 farm machinery simulators. The simulators will be available to all Teagasc students in vocational education and training at agricultural and horticultural colleges, enabling them to improve their farm machinery operation skills. The simulators will also be available for students from universities and technological universities who are based in agricultural colleges for the practical skills training components of their course. The simulators cover a range of farm machinery and implements.
Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara and Teagasc Head of Education, Dr Anne-Marie Butler were delighted with the announcement as this initiative supports the Teagasc strategy to embed technology into education programmes. The use of simulators enables students to train and practice on simulators to improve farm machinery operators’ skills while reducing the risk of farm accidents.
Teagasc already have equine and forestry simulators in place in colleges to support students in acquiring and practicing practical skills.
