Midland Agri Consultancy, an agricultural consultancy based in Longford, will deliver an agricultural machinery safety program targeting young people.
talking to AgrilandPaul Belton of Midland Agri Consultancy explained that the company will host an official launch event for the initiative on Friday (June 12).
The agricultural consultancy has secured funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to deliver what it describes as a “major agricultural machinery safety program for young people in the region”.
“As everyone in the agricultural industry knows, training and education on safety when working around machinery is critical,” Pelton said.
“Many young people help on farms from an early age, and we believe the best way to learn safety is through hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment.
“That is why the one-day hands-on workshops will be delivered on real working farms, giving participants the opportunity to learn about the machinery, equipment and situations they are likely to encounter in everyday farming life.”
About the Farm Safety Initiative
The program targets young people between the ages of 14 and 18 who have an affinity for agriculture and agricultural machinery.
The safety courses are aimed at young people from the area who help on the farm, drive farm machinery, or simply have a keen interest in farming and farm life.
Midland Agri Consultants is an approved training center by Lantra, the leading onshore industry awarding body, and all training courses will be delivered by Belton and Thomas Quinn, both Lantra approved agricultural training instructors.
There will be 480 spots available in the training program, and Belton said he expects those spots to fill very quickly.
He added: “Our goal is simple: to help young people build confidence, develop practical skills and, most importantly, stay safe around agricultural machinery.”
More details on dates, locations and how to register will be announced soon.
Belton has encouraged all those interested in finding out more to come to the launch evening on Friday at 7:00pm at its offices in Granard, County Longford, where there will be a number of special guests and refreshments will be served.
