Calls for South Longford Mart to offer two new training courses

Two new QQI Level 4 training courses could be on the way for Ballymahon Mart, following a proposal submitted by Cllr Paul Ross during a recent meeting of Longford County Council.

In his motion, Cllr Ross called on the council to support the establishment of a QQI Level 4 training course in both Agriculture and Horticulture before further proposing that the council engage with the LWETB to facilitate the courses in the training rooms in Ballymahon Livestock Mart.

Said Cllr Ross, “This course would be aimed at early school leavers, students with a learning disability, or mature students and would follow the template of a similar course available in other ETBs.”

“Ballymahon Mart have engaged with Ballyhaise Agricultural College as potential partners and this course would be a great addition to the county.”

Cllr Ross acknowledged the work being carried out by Ballymahon Mart in terms of farm relief training and health and safety training.”

“He said the new courses were “something they are looking to push on with” and that it would be of benefit to Longford students and students from around the midlands area.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Pat O’Toole, who also provided an update on the situation.

He told the chamber, “The secretary of Ballymahon Farmers Mart wrote to the six of us in the Ballymahon area about it. I forwarded her email to the CEO of Longford Westmeath ETB and I’ve had correspondence back to say that the CEO has given permission to her Director of Further Education and Training with the LWETB to take this up and have a look at something similar to what Laois-Offaly are doing.”

“It’s a very good motion. I’m delighted to see it moving along and hopefully it will come to fruition.”

Cllr Martin Skelly also proposed his support for the motion and commended Ballymahon Mart for expanding on the services being provided by a mart.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme