Automotive Production Technologies courses

About Agricultural Mechanisation – Higher Certificate In Engineering in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

This programme provides students with education and training to work within the area of Agricultural Technology. The focus of this programme is firmly on the provision of skilled technicians for the farm machinery industry in Ireland.

The subject matter includes tractor engineering and workshop process, machinery operation, electrical and electronic technology, administration and management, engineering science and mathematics, engineering drawing and CAD and computer studies, project and industrial placement together with a high degree of personal and practical skills. Students will be taught a mix of technology, practical, academic, administrative and managerial modules which will prepare them to carry out complex diagnostics and repairs of modern machinery and to be receptive to future technological developments to take advantage of vacancies that will arise within the industry.

The programme has a high practical content with the inclusion of a 33 week work placement in approved training locations such as main garages, contractors and fabricators. Students will also have the opportunity to complete work placement abroad. The placement will give students the job skills necessary for today’s employment market.

This programme is run in conjunction with the Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick. In Year 1, 4 days are delivered in Pallaskenry with 1 Day attendance on LIT’s Moylish Park Campus. In Year 2, 3 days are delivered in Pallaskenry and 2 days in LIT.

Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick (SACP) charge a separate additional fee to students on course LC284 to cover the cost of Food, Materials (and if availed of Accommodation) at Pallaskenry. For details please contact SACP at Tel: 061-393100 or www.pallaskenry.com

​​​ ​​​Who is the programme suited to?

​The programme is suited to those with an interest in understanding and learning about agricultural machinery. The programme has a good balance of theory and practical and is suited to those people who prefer “hands on” work and who want to be able to maintain and operate farm machinery.

Top 3 Reasons

1. Opportunity to progress your studies by ladder approach into a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology and Management at LIT or other programmes in Ireland and abroad.

2. A work placement of 33 weeks, which is an important part of the programme, to give you the job skills necessary for today’s employment market. Last year, 16 of the 29 learners on this programme had their work placement in America.

3. You will develop a diverse set of skills with hands-on practical workshops and also have the knowledge of the administrative and managerial work needed for this industry.

Class Contact Hours

9 hours of class, 18 hours of practical per week

Did You Know?

In the early 1960s, Porsche commercially manufactured farm tractors!

Graduate Profile

“The time spent between LIT and Salesian Agricultural College helped give the best all-round experience for the Agricultural Mechanisation programme. Getting into the workshops and making repairs with the equipment we use in work put me miles ahead of my competition.”
Noel O’Carroll

Further Studies

Graduates of the programme can progress to a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology and Management degree at LIT or abroad (Harper Adams, Reaseheath), Trades. Employment opportunities include Machinery Dealerships, Machinery Importers, Machinery Manufacturers, Agricultural Contractors, Heavy Plant Operators.

Entry Requirement

A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades in Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish. 

Applicants are advised that those with a grade less than O4 in Ordinary level Mathematics may have difficulty coping with the mathematics content of this programme. 

FETAC Applicants and Mature Applicants: Refer to section ‘Entry Requirements’ for further information.

​​​CAO

Please visit www.cao.ie for further information on how to apply to this course.

IELTS score for entry to undergraduate courses a minimum score of 5.5

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