Multiskilling Programme - an alternative route to an agricultural qualification

Date published: 8 October 2026

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus is well known for its wide range of Agricultural programmes and qualifications and their delivery, but the Level 2 Multiskilling Programme takes a different delivery approach.

This Level 2 programme is delivered alongside any trade course undertaken at a Regional College. The programme operates on a block release basis, with students attending Greenmount Campus during their Regional College’s holiday periods. This enables students, on successful completion, to achieve both a qualification in their trade area and a Level 2 Work Based Diploma in Agriculture qualification, within the same timeframe. Students therefore develop their agricultural skills alongside their chosen trade, supporting their future farming ambitions.

What does the agriculture component of the programme entail?

Students reside at Greenmount Campus, Antrim during their block release periods. Programme delivery includes both theory sessions and practical skills sessions and includes topics such as animal health, livestock nutrition, animal housing, farm biosecurity and health & safety. Students undertake routine practical sessions which include morning and evening milking and calf rearing at CAFRE’s Dairy Centre and animal husbandry at the Beef and Sheep Centre. Students value the ‘hands on’ approach of the practical skills session, learning and practicing skills such as disbudding calves, vaccinating sheep and clipping cattle. Students will also gain a recognised First Aid qualification.

Past student Odhran McEvoy said: "After leaving school I joined my father in his construction business and enrolled on a bricklaying course at Southern Regional College. We have a family farm, which comprises mainly winter calving suckler cows and a flock of Scottish Blackface ewes. The Multiskilling programme helped me develop my skills in agriculture alongside my trade." 

The programme is open to any student who has obtained a place on a trade course at any Regional College. Applications remain open now for this year’s intake. For more information and to apply, please visit CAFRE’s website.