'Bonkers' ban on farming apprenticeships removed

Minister Simon Harris said the fact that none of the 66 apprenticeship programmes available were in farming was 'bizarre, bonkers, and unacceptable'. Picture: Damien Storan

Three new farming apprenticeships announced at the National Ploughing Championships today remove a 'bizarre' and 'bonkers' situation whereby legislation precluded the establishment of such programmes, Minister Simon Harris has said.

The farm manager, farm technician, and horticulture apprenticeship programmes will accept students in the next academic year.