CAFRE Apprenticeships: Developing the next generation of agricultural talent in Co Derry

Apprenticeships in Agriculture, delivered by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), are providing young people from County Derry with the opportunity to gain fundamental agricultural skills whilst building their experience in the industry.

By combining academic study with agricultural employment, Apprentices develop confidence, take ownership of their learning, and achieve recognised qualifications that support long‑term careers in the sector.

Training is delivered across CAFRE’s three campuses and a network of out‑centres across Northern Ireland, enabling students to study close to home. Through the “earn as you learn” model, Apprentices attend college one day per week while working on a farm, ensuring that what they learn is practical, meaningful and directly applicable to their daily work.

Peter Linton, from Knockloughrim near Maghera, has been involved in farming from a young age. After completing his GCSEs at Magherafelt High School, he worked full‑time on a local farm. Encouraged by friends who spoke highly of CAFRE, he decided that an Apprenticeship programme would allow him to continue working while gaining formal training.

Now in his second year of the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Agriculture, Peter attends classes one day per week at an out‑centre in Maghera while continuing to work on a dairy farm.

“A typical study day includes classroom lessons on topics such as animal health and welfare, grassland production and soils management. We also take part in practical sessions that give us experience in livestock husbandry and day‑to‑day farm operations. This combination helps me understand not only how to carry out tasks, but why they matter.”

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Through his on‑farm work, he has gained extensive practical experience, including milking, feeding, bedding, and tractor operations such as silage work and slurry spreading. These responsibilities have helped him build confidence, improve his time‑management skills, and develop a strong understanding of the daily demands of farming. Peter’s long‑term goal is to build a career in animal nutrition, using his knowledge to help improve farming systems.

“One of the biggest advantages of the Apprenticeship programme is its flexibility,” Peter says. “I didn’t want to stop working to go into full‑time education, and this programme gives me the best of both worlds. Studying at CAFRE is helping me develop both technical and practical skills. I’ve learned more about the paperwork side of farming, which is essential for running a successful business, and the practical skills I’m learning from experienced instructors are things you can’t get from books alone.”

Meanwhile, Rachel Evans (pictured below), from Desertmartin, is currently completing a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Agriculture. Growing up on her family’s dairy and sheep farm, she has always been involved in the day‑to‑day operations, working closely with her parents and two sisters. This early experience sparked a strong passion for agriculture.

“As a family, we’re all involved in the day‑to‑day work,” Rachel says. “From a young age I’ve had an interest in farming and wanted to build a career in the industry.”

Rachel chose CAFRE after hearing positive feedback from former students and recognising the college’s strong reputation for preparing learners for successful agricultural careers. The Apprenticeship programme has enabled her to combine academic progress with hands‑on farming experience.

Rachel attends Loughry Campus one day per week for a mix of theory‑based teaching, practical skills development and educational visits. This gives her an in‑depth understanding of both the scientific and practical elements of modern farming. The rest of her training takes place on her  farm, where she can immediately apply the knowledge and skills gained in class to real working situations.

Alongside helping on the home farm, Rachel also works part‑time at J&J.A Johnstons, a local farm supplies business. This role has strengthened her customer service skills, broadened her knowledge of the range of products available, and increased her understanding of how these are applied on farms -giving her valuable insight into the agricultural supply sector. She believes that combining work, study, and home farm responsibilities has enabled her to develop confidence, professionalism, and industry‑relevant skills.

Rachel highly recommends choosing a course that aligns with your long‑term goals. “CAFRE offers excellent opportunities for students,” she says. “The staff are knowledgeable, and the learning environment promotes practical, hands‑on experience alongside high‑quality teaching.”

If you are interested in completing an Apprenticeship programme in Agriculture, we invite you to attend one of CAFRE’s upcoming Apprenticeship Open Evenings. These events provide the opportunity to explore our facilities, meet staff and students, and discover more information on the Apprenticeship in Agriculture programmes. Events will take place at 7pm at: Enniskillen Campus on Tuesday, April 14, Loughry Campus on Wednesday, April 15 and Greenmount Campus on Thursday, April 16.

Visit CAFRE for more information.