The deadline for applications to CAFRE’s Agricultural Business Operations Level 2 course has been extended until 4:00pm on August 24.

Enrolment applications have been accepted since Thursday, June 9, and the deadline was originally scheduled to close on Thursday, July 7, at 4:00pm.

The classes are expected to begin in early October and they run weekly for 20 weeks, according to CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise).

All of the classes will be based in one of the three CAFRE campuses – Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen.

Classes will be sector-based, covering: dairy; beef; sheep; crops; arable/commercial horticulture; and poultry, CAFRE added.

Those interested in applying can book a place on a course by visiting the education provider’s website.

The qualification from this Level 2 course meets the eligibility requirements for the Young Farmers’ Payment / Regional Reserve Scheme.

A range of evenings, Monday to Thursday, will be available. However, CAFRE advised that choices will become more limited as classes fill up.

Therefore, it is important that prospective students book early to ensure they get the training event which best suits their needs, CAFRE added.

It costs £150 (€171) to take part in the course; details about how to pay the course fee will be provided when a person books their place.

If a person requires any assistance when booking a place on this training, they can call CAFRE Industry Training Administration on: 028-9442-6880 or send an email to: [email protected].

CAO deadline

Meanwhile, students who applied to the Central Applications Office (CAO) in 2017 had until 5:15pm on Saturday, July 1, to alter their applications.

Prior to the deadline, CAO applicants were allowed to add, remove or change the order of their course choices free of charge.

Earlier this year, the CAO revealed that there had been a 17% rise in the number of students applying to study third-level degrees in agriculture or horticulture in 2017, compared to the previous year.

Applicants can expect to receive their first offers from the CAO on Monday, August 21.