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Ahead of Donegal Education and Training Board’s Further Education and Training (FET) Fair on 4 and 5 March in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, we’re showcasing the learning and progression experiences of current and former FET students.
A Buncrana plumber who once swore he would never step foot on a farm is reaping the rewards of organic farming thanks to an eye-opening Horticulture course.
Gary McLaughlin recently completed a QQI Level 5 training course with Donegal Education and Training Board’s (ETB’s) Further Education and Training (FET) Service.
The course, taught three days a week in Letterkenny, has helped Gary transform his farm into a more profitable and thriving ecosystem.
Gary, a plumber by trade, inherited the Potts farm in Fallask from his sheep-farming father, but Gary himself had no interest in livestock.
Seeking a broader understanding of horticulture, he temporarily stepped back from his plumbing business to return to the classroom.
It was the instructor, Gareth Austin, who made the training so valuable, according to Gary.
“It’s rare to get a tutor like Gareth Austin who has such a wide understanding of the topics but also is so personable towards the class,” Gary said.
“Gareth is unbelievably generous with his information.”
The course focuses on sustainable gardening, covering modules like growing fruit and vegetables, establishing ornamental flowering plants, trees and shrubs, and environmental sustainability awareness. Participants range from business owners and hobby gardeners to those working in community gardens.
“Gareth kept everyone happy by explaining things in different forms,” Gary says. “He would explain the growth of carrots and would turn around and tell me what variety was more profitable or more beneficial for my soil type.”
Gary describes the lessons as more discussions than lectures. A typical day began with an hour in the classroom discussing the day’s plan, followed by a cup of tea, and then hands-on training in the ETB’s own garden and polytunnels.
“You bring the produce right from seed to harvest. The training centre is run almost organically anyway, so it suited me very well,” Gary notes.
Gary McLaughlin recently completed a QQI Level 5 Horticulture Course
“It wasn’t just a little hobby gardeners’ course; it was very informative about everything.
“Before going into the course, I wouldn’t have been aware of things like matching sunflowers with vegetables for the benefit. A lot of farmers look at flowers as weeds a lot of the time. Because of this course, I have a much better understanding of ornamental flowers and their purpose within ecosystems.
“I felt like I went into a horticulture course and came away with a business degree.”
Gary also praises Gareth and the ETB staff for accommodating learners’ needs.
“The practical side was excellent, if there was anyone with issues, such as mobility, Gareth was more than happy to order tools they would need or change the way we were working to make it easier.
“No hurdles were thrown up I could see that weren’t overcome by Gareth changing how things were going to be done.”
To others considering the course, Gary’s advice is to dig in!
“If you are a hobby gardener, it will help you with matching up plants, understanding soil types, manipulating the soil to do what you need it to do in a completely natural way without the need for synthetic fertiliser and additives,” he said.
“If you are a farm owner, it is an excellent course for understanding horticulture as a business and your farm as an ecosystem, as well as how to be more profitable.
“It has changed so much for me, especially for somebody who swore 20 years ago that they would never set foot on a farm!”
Gary’s course is just one of the many full and part-time courses offered by Donegal ETB’s FET Service – you’ll find their full range of courses across the county on their website, where you can also apply online at any time: www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.
Come along to Donegal ETB’s 2025 FET Fair on 04 and 05 March in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny to find out more:
- Tuesday 04 March, 7.00-9.00pm: School leavers, their parents/guardians, Guidance Counsellors and school Principals and Deputies are invited to attend to hear about FET options across the county. Those currently in employment and seeking to upskill are also invited to hear about upskilling opportunities offered by the FET Service.
A panel discussion on FET options (PLCs, traineeships and tertiary degrees), apprenticeships and employee training supports begins at 7.00pm.
- Wednesday 05 March, 10.00am-2.00pm: Those who would like information on the wide range of full and part-time education and training opportunities provided by the ETB’s FET Service are invited to come along to speak to staff to find out more. There will be interactive skills demonstrations throughout the day.
Keep an eye on their social media accounts (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn) for updates and further details or contact the ETB’s Adult Guidance and Information Service – call 074 91 78088, email adultguidance@donegaletb.ie or complete this web form and they’ll get back to you: www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance.
Tagann feirmeoir de chuid Bhun Cranncha ar shíolta rathúlachta na Gairneoireachta
Roimh Aonach Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall an 4 agus an 5 Márta in Óstán an Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn, tá aird á tarraingt againn ar thaithí foghlama agus dul chun cinn na mac léinn reatha agus na n-iar-mhac léinn de chuid FET.
Tá pluiméir i mBun Cranncha, a mhionnaigh tráth nach leagfadh sé cos ar fheirm riamh, ag baint tairbhe as an fheirmeoireacht orgánach a bhuí le cúrsa Gairneoireachta a bhí ina fhoscailt súl dó.
Chríochnaigh Gary McLaughlin cúrsa oiliúna QQI Leibhéal 5 le déanaí le Seirbhís Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall (ETB).
Chuidigh an cúrsa, lena mbaineann teagasc trí lá sa tseachtain i Leitir Ceanainn, le Gary a athrú ó bhonn go héiceachóras níos brabúsaí agus níos rathúla.
Fuair Gary, arb é an phluiméireacht an cheird atá aige, feirm Potts in Fallask le hoidhreacht óna athair, arbh fheirmeoir caorach eisean, ach ní raibh aon suim dá laghad ag Gary é féin i mbeostoc.
Agus tuigbheáil níos leithne ar an ghairneoireacht á lorg aige, sheas sé siar go sealadach óna ghnó pluiméireachta chun pilleadh ar an seomra ranga.
Ba é an teagascóir, Gareth Austin, a thug an oiread sin luach don oiliúint, dar le Gary.
“Is annamh teagascóir a fháil ar nós Gareth Austin a bhfuil tuigbheáil chomh leathan sin aige ar na hábhair ach a mbíonn gnaíúil leis an rang freisin,” a deir Gary.
“Tá Gareth iontach flaithiúil lena chuid eolais.”
Díríonn an cúrsa ar gharraíodóireacht inbhuanaithe, agus modúil á gclúdach ar nós fás torthaí agus glasraí, plandaí bláthanna ornáideacha, crainn agus toir a bhunú, agus feasacht inbhuanaitheachta comhshaoil. I measc na rannpháirtithe tá úinéirí gnó agus garraíodóirí ar caitheamh aimsire é dóibh, agus iad siúd atá ag obair i ngairdíní pobail.
“Choinnigh Gareth gach duine sásta trí rudaí a mhíniú ar dhóigheanna éagsúla,” arsa Gary. “Mhínigh sé fás na gcairéad agus chasfadh sé timpeall agus chuirfeadh sé in iúl domh cén cineál a bheadh ní ba bhrabúsaí nó ní ba thairbhiúla do mo chineál ithreach.”
Plé seachas léachtaí is ea an cur síos a thuagann Gary ar na léachtaí. Cuireadh tús le gnáthlá le huair an chloig sa seomra ranga ag plé phlean an lae, agus cupán tae ina dhiaidh sin, agus ansin oiliúint phraiticiúil i ngairdín agus polatolláin an Bhoird Oideachais agus Oiliúna féin.
“Fásann tú na táirgí ó shíol go fómhar. Reáchtáiltear an t-ionad oiliúna go horgánach a bheag nó a mhór ar aon nós, mar sin d’fhóir sé go maith domh,” a deir Gary.
“Ní cúrsa beag do gharraíodóirí ar caitheamh aimsire é dóibh amháin a bhí ann; bhí an-chuid eolais faoi gach rud le baint as.
“Sula ndeachaigh mé isteach sa chúrsa, ní bheinn ar an eolas faoi rudaí ar nós lus na gréine a mheaitseáil le glasraí ar mhaithe leis an tairbhe a bhainfeadh as. Is minic go n-amharcann a lán feirmeoirí ar bhláthanna mar fhiailí. De thairbhe an chúrsa seo, tá tuigbheáil i bhfad níos fearr agam ar bhláthanna ornáideacha agus ar a gcuspóir laistigh d’éiceachórais.
“Mhothaigh mé go ndeachaigh mé isteach i gcúrsa gairneoireachta agus gur bhain mé céim sa ghnó amach.”
Molann Gary foireann an Bhoird Oideachais agus Oiliúna agus Gareth fosta as freastal ar riachtanais na bhfoghlaimeoirí.
“Bhí an taobh praiticiúil ar dóigh, dá mbeadh duine ar bith ann a raibh fadhbanna acu, amhail soghluaisteacht, bhí Gareth iontach sásta uirlisí a ordú a bheadh de dhíth orthu nó athrú a chur ar an dóigh a raibh muid ag obair le cúrsaí a dhéanamh ní b’fhusa.
“Chonacthas domhsa nár cuireadh aon chonstaic os a chomhair nach bhfuair Gareth an ceann is fearr orthu trí athrú a chur ar an dóigh a raibh rudaí le déanamh.”
Dóibh siúd atá i mbun machnaimh faoin chúrsa, is é comhairle Gary dul i mbun tochailte!
“Más garraíodóir thú ar caitheamh aimsire é duit, cuideoidh sé leat plandaí a mheaitseáil, cineálacha ithreach a thuigbheáil, an ithir a ionramháil chun na críche atá ag teastáil uait ar dhóigh iomlán nádúrtha gan gá le leasachán sintéiseach agus breiseáin,” a deir sé.
“Más úinéir feirme thú, is cúrsa den scoth é chun tuigbheáil a fháil ar an ghairneoireacht mar ghnó agus ar d’fheirm mar éiceachóras, chomh maith leis an dóigh le bheith níos brabúsaí.
“Tá an oiread sin athraithe domhsa, go háirithe do dhuine a mhionnaigh 20 bliain ó shin nach leagfadh sé cos ar fheirm riamh!”
Níl i gcúrsa Gary ach ceann amháin den iliomad cúrsaí tacaíochta cúraim sláinte lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha a thairgtear trí Sheirbhís FET ETB Dhún na nGall – gheobhaidh tú an raon cúrsaí iomlán atá acu ar fud an chontae ar a suíomh gréasáin, áit ar féidir leat iarratas a dhéanamh ar líne am ar bith: www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.
Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, bígí linn ag Aonach FET ETB Dhún na nGall 2025 ar an 4 agus an 5 Márta san Óstán Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn:
- Dé Máirt, an 4 Márta, 7.00-9.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh do lucht fágála scoile, a gcuid tuismitheoirí/caomhnóirí, Comhairleoirí Gairmthreorach agus Príomhoidí agus Leas-Phríomhoidí scoile freastal chun cluinstin faoi roghanna FET ar fud an chontae. Tugtar cuireadh fosta dóibh siúd atá fostaithe faoi láthair agus atá ag iarraidh uasoiliúint cluinstin faoi na deiseanna uasoiliúna a thairgtear tríd an tSeirbhís FET.
Cuirfear tús le plé painéil ar roghanna FET (cúrsaí iar-Ardteistiméireachta, cúrsaí oiliúna agus céimeanna tríú leibhéal), printíseachtaí agus tacaíochtaí oiliúna fostaithe ag 7.00pm.
- Dé Céadaoin, an 5 Márta, 10.00am-2.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh dóibh siúd ar mhaith leo eolas a fháil faoin raon leathan deiseanna oideachais agus oiliúna lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha atá á gcur ar fáil ag Seirbhís FET ETB teacht chun labhairt leis an fhoireann chun tuilleadh a fháil amach. Beidh taispeántais scileanna idirghníomhacha ar siúl i rith an lae.
Coinnigh súil ar a gcuntais meán sóisialta (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram agus LinkedIn) faoi choinne nuashonruithe agus sonraí breise, nó téigh i dteagmháil le Seirbhís Treorach agus Eolais d’Aosaigh ETB ar 074 91 78088, ríomhphost adultguidance@donegaletb.ie, nó comhlánaigh an fhoirm ghréasáin seo, agus rachaidh siad i dteagmháil leat: www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance.
