Training

Farm Business Skillnet is the training division of IFA, providing training and up-skilling to both the IFA volunteer structure and to groups of IFA members.

There are many benefits of participating in Skillnet Ireland training including:

  • Increased productivity, efficiency and skill levels among farmers trained
  • Increased confidence in your own abilities
  • An opportunity to liaise, converse and network with your peers

Farm Business Skillnet would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the 2018 Young Leaders Programme this November. Particular thanks to Nicola O’Neill, Breian Carroll and Joe Delaney for their engaging and informative sessions.

Volunteer Training

IFA Volunteer training is organised through the County Chair and the Local IFA Office.

Group Training

A minimum number of participants in order to facilitate a group training request.   (This minimum varies from course to course – but roughly 10 participants is required for most courses.)

Discussion Groups

If you are a Discussion Group or Purchasing Group you can avail of training.  Or if you are an individual perhaps you could get additional numbers from within your local IFA Branch.

The cost of a course depends on your group requirements:

  • Type course
  • Length
  • Number of participants

Grant funding of 30% – 40% is available. The remaining cost is payable by the course participants.

While all Discussion / Purchasing Groups can avail of training through the IFA’s Farm Business Skillnet, only participants with fully paid IFA membership qualify for grant funding.

Courses are very specifically tailored to suit the needs of each discussion group.

Below are some examples of courses we have engaged in, but should you require training in any area not specified below Farm Business Skillnet will be happy to source a trainer in any area required by Farmers.

  • IT/Agri Apps
  • Finance / Taxation / Funding Applications
  • Personal Development
  • Leadership and Negotiation
  • Health & Safety

Job seekers and those on Farm Assist can avail of a place on any of our courses free of charge (subject to availability) and should see Skillnets Ireland for other training opportunities.

All courses are available on demand, however this is subject to having sufficient numbers to run a course in your area.  If you are a Discussion Group / Purchasing Group it is usually quite easy to secure a trainer for any area you might be interested in.

If you are an individual Farmer interested in training, you will need sufficient numbers to book a course. We would recommend you approach your fellow Branch members.  Alternatively you can forward your details and the training you are interested in to [email protected] and you will be contacted if and when a suitable course comes up in your area.


Contact Farm Business Skillnet

Network Manager: Celine Reynolds

Email:  [email protected] 

Call:    01 426 0324

Farm Business Skillnet supports the workforce development needs of businesses within the agri sector. If you are currently not in employment and wish to upskill or reskill, you may be interested in training offered by other Skillnet Networks through Skills Connect. Further details of Skills Connect and the eligibility criteria can be found on the Skillnet Ireland website by clicking here.

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