Opinion on course please

[Bigjoe]

Afternoon all,
Having now been unemployed for 3 1/2 years (including caring for my better half due to ill health) ive got to a point where im seriously fed up,ive submitted 70+ job applications and have had 6 replies and 1 interview....and the boredom is seriously getting to me now , This is more directed to the agricultural engineers amongst you but i welcome any opinions or thoughts...

Im considering returning to college to gain a some qualification in Ag engineering, im considering this course:

http://www.oatridge.ac.uk/courses/engineering/certificate_agricultural_engineering

Ive looked into welding courses but you have to be employed and have apprentice status these days , I already have an NVQ 1 & Motor vehicle engineering (called something else now i think) and i also have NVQ/Centra level 1 welding and fabrication (Distinctions).

Does anyone think this is a reasonable course to enter the Ag world?

Many thanks and apologies for the long post

Joe

 

[snowcat]

hello Joe,

I trained in Ag Eng, in the early 90s, as it stood it was an ND, based around the C&G format, we were the last to complete before the course disappeared in the history books, I also did extra courses CITB telehandlers, forklifts, PA1 &2, + my C&G welding quals....

Ag engineering is a funny trade, theres very few actual jobs in it.....the industry has shrunk to virtually nill over the last 15 years, mostly because farms have less people bigger kit, and less money to play with.....its the same story as most of the prime industrys...

Most of the jobs are based around fitting, fine if you like using a laptop and bolting bits on, not for me tho.......

with that said, the knowledge that Iv acquired working among around and training in the industry has allowed me to turn my hand to virtually anything, everything from London underground to forestry work...Its possibly one of the most versatile job titles you can have......

 

[rodofgod]

Hi All!

bigjoe, that looks like a pretty all-encompassing course! I have absolutely no knowledge of agricultural things but if that is what floats your boat, so to speak, then go for it!

As snowcat states, I would also suspect few jobs on offer directly from such a course, however your skill level would be dramitcally improved! Any sort of machine handling certificates always count, fork truck,cherry picker etc.. all help gain employment!

I would take the course but not limit myself to the agricultural side of things once I'd finished it.Take a broader outlook and diversify according to you needs!

Regards

 

[Bigjoe]

Thanks chaps,
Thats exactly what i was thinking, take the course and gain some extra knowledge as i know that it encompasses many areas so comes in quite useful.

Many thanks

Joe

 

[georgetheforge]

Hi Jo, it looks pretty good....

i teach at a drama school doing metalwork, and we have a wide range of students at a wide range of levels at a wide range of ages, we find that mainly the course gives a degree of confidence for people to be able to get out and about and 'sell' themselves, and of course a more rounded saleable knowledge base. it does look a good course plenty of interesting engineering modules..and the less interesting maths bits...for some!!

Can you get funding or this...i'm pretty sure you could through a scheme thingy...

Does the course do any kind of professional secondment/ work experience- we place students for 6 weeks in a company they want to work for ...80% of the time they are offered a job at the end of their course with the company they did the experience with!!


Best of luck.... and go on....go for it...!!

 

[English Steve]

Looks like it covers most things to get started Joe. As others have already said, it also helps if you can get a machine handling ticket or two. I have forklift and class 1 HGV, and find it gives the farmers the confidence to let me loose with their (very expensive) kit.
I don't work on modern tractors etc, simply because of the electronics, but I do regularly need to use them to move stuff.
My ag work is currently part-time self employed, which may be an option for you initially.

Good luck with it.

 

[Bigjoe]

Thanks for the replies George & Steve,

George i think may qualify for some help due to being self supporting etc for at least 3 years,but im waiting for their finance dept to send me some info regarding that.
And i think there is some work experience in the course and also im told by former students that i know that many of the local dealers etc go to the college first for staff.

Steve, Ive got a 3.5 ton counterbalance forklift licence and a lorry loader certificate but i would like to get more certificates,i think there is a good training co-operative in the borders regarding farm and Ag machinery,ill look into it further.

Joe

 

[wyn]

As the others have said a good broad range of stuff covered.

It then gives you opportunities to move into stuff like construction equipment, plant hire, quarrying equipment etc.

I did a couple of Ag Eng courses and worked on that sort of stuff for around 10 years, then moved accross to quarry maintenance on static machinery.

In the end a machine's a machine whether it's in a field or in a factory.