Rural Skills Intermediate 1

What is special about this course?

Skills for Work:  Rural Skills is an introductory qualification that will develop your skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for work in the land-based industries.

This Rural Skills course allows candidates to begin to develop some of the basic practical skills necessary to work in most of the land-based disciplines - areas such as agricultural livestock, equine industries, horticulture, landscaping, agricultural crops and animal care. 

The course also provides the opportunity to explore the very diverse employment prospects that exist in land-based industries.

Entry requirements

This is a Skills for Work course and is open to S4, S5 & S6 school pupils.  Please discuss with your school guidance teacher if you wish to apply.

Land-based industries - an introduction: you will be given the opportunity to investigate the nature of some of the very diverse industries of the land-based industries and also to examine some of the job opportunities of the sector.

Estate Maintenance - an introduction:  you will be given the opportunity to develop some of the employability skills considered important in the land-based sector, such as good time-keeping,attendance, good team-working and safety awareness.  Evidence for this unit should be generated through practical activities carried out throughout the course.

Crop Production:  this unit allows you to develop some of the basic skills and knowledge required to contribute towards the production of plants in a work setting.  You will have the opportunity to develop some of the basic skills relating to preparing the growing medium, establishing and maintaining the plant.  Plants may be agricultural, forestry, horticultural, edible or non-edible.

Soft Landscaping - an introduction:  this unit allows you to develop some of te basic skills and knowledge required for soft landscaping, including establishing and maintaining soft landscaping.  The unit is appropriate for a range of contexts including agriculture, countryside management and landscape horticulture.

Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment including wellington boots, overalls, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket and gloves.

How will I study my course?

  • Part Time
  • Skills for Work

You will attend college half a day each week for 2 academic years.

How long will my course last?

2 Academic Years

Where can I study my course?

    Start date

    August

    Fees

    Full time

    If you are studying a full time Further Education course (NCs, NQs etc.) the College claims your fees from the Scottish Funding Council for students who are under 18 on the first day of the course. Students over the age of 18 on the first day of the course have to apply to Orkney Islands Council (OIC) for a tuition fees bursary.

    Information on the tuition fees bursary is available on the OIC website.

    Part time

    Normally you are responsible for your course fees but if you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be eligible for a Part Time Course Fee Waiver. Not all part-time courses at Orkney College UHI are covered by the Fee Waiver Scheme and only certain benefits are acceptable as a basis for a Fee Waiver. Please contact the college to enquire.

    If you are eligible, you may be entitled to an ILA of up to £200 a year towards a course.

    What can I do on completion of my course?

    This course may provide candidates with opportunities to progress to:

    • SVQs in appropriate land-based sector vocational areas
    • other suitable trainin and employment

     

    Is there more information available online?

    QR Code - scan to visit course page

    You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

    Please discuss with your school guidance teacher if you would like to apply for this course.

    We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at Orkney College UHI. Orkney College UHI operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.