Agri Skills Transfer believes agriculture is the future. Here you receive more than just a certificate or diploma. You gain valuable farming experience and skills to not only farm but manage your farm successfully.

Learning is not only for young farmers and Agri Skills Transfer offers courses for young and old. They offer short courses, merit diplomas, reskilling courses, and more. Shaun Welmans, Agri Skills Transfer Chief Executive Officer explains that all their accreditations are AgriSETA registered.

They do not only provide the theoretical side to agricultural studies but the practical as well.

Agri Skills Transfer has their own farm just outside Cullinan. Fifty students live and study full time on the farm. It is also used for the practical training of their short course students. They also have a campus in Groenkloof for theoretical presentations of short courses before the students go to the farm. Sometimes the students get to visit other industry leaders’ farms for practical training as well.

Students can gain valuable practical skills on the Agri Skills Transfer farm near Cullinan.

Distance learning 

“Many people are interested in obtaining an accreditation but do not have the facilities to complete the practical side. That is why we decided to set up the farm,” Shaun explains.

If you are a farmer yourself and cannot make it to campus, then Agri Skills Transfer also has distance learning.

He explains that you should always keep the market in mind and not forget about the people who are already in the industry. There are farmers who are busy on their farms every day, but also want to learn more from industry leaders and obtain a formal qualification. This is where distance learning can be of value.

“It is perfect for those who are already in the industry but want to have the papers as well.”

The practical part of their distance learning is measured by the time the farmer spends working on his farm. When it is planting or harvesting season, those hours count towards the student’s practical. The students also do practical assessments, for instance planning the layout of the farm and the planning of the farm’s day-to-day management.

Shaun says that adding value is very important to them. Not only the value their students add to the industry but also the value they can offer their students. This is why they continuously try and improve their study methods and courses trying to bring in new things.

Short courses  

One of the things they noticed was a need for short courses.

“We noticed there are many people interested in short courses. Especially amongst chicken and pig farmers who started off with no knowledge and relied on advice from the community. We told them; here is a way you can understand the challenges of your farm better. It received good traction because now the farmer has a handbook to fall back on.”

Their short courses also deal with the marketing and financial planning of farming. Shaun explains they realised people who start farming may be excellent with production but struggle when it comes to the selling of their products. The courses include information like the value of packaging, the cold value chain, and practical ways to make your product more attractive to the market and add value.

Their latest short course which will be presented for the first time in April covers Aquaponics. Introduction to Aquaponics, will be presented by market leaders. More information is available at https://agriskills.net/aquaponics/

At Agri Skills Transfer you do not only get theoretical training but practical as well.

Reskilling

Whether you have been in the industry for years or are a newcomer, Agri Skills Transfer has the course for you. Even if you farmed years ago and just want to hone your skills before you start farming again, then Agri Skills Transfer can help you with reskilling courses.

Shaun explains they work with businesses to upskill retiring staff.

“Often when a person retires, he or she has a small piece of land with some cattle or sheep roaming around. This person can then attend a course or two to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to start a new business once they retire or expand on an already existing business,” says Shaun.

These courses are also presented with the support of mining groups where the community had been dependent of the income from the mines for many years. When the mines run dry and must close down then the community can continue by starting farms. These farms can even prosper while the mines are still operational.

Agri Skills Transfer present these courses and short courses at schools as well. It is especially popular at schools where trades are offered and schools who have children with learning difficulties.

“We visit once a year with our Mobi-unit and then we teach the children how to work with cattle for example,” says Shaun.

He explains that these children do not always have the opportunity to follow a career path, but agriculture can provide them with a future.

“Our hearts are in agriculture; we always say agriculture is an industry that can love you and embrace you …  or it can spit you out if you do not have the right skills. If you love it, it will love you back. We love agriculture, we want to stay in the industry for another 20 to 200 years.”

Look at what Agri Skills Transfer have to offer you at https://agriskills.net/.