Further Education and Training: Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute

The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute was established in 1898 and was the first centre for agricultural training in Africa. In the Republic of South Africa, the Institute has secured an eminent track record in agriculture especially in the field of agricultural training.

Our Vision: The Advancement of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute as an agricultural and educational centre of excellence to the benefit of the broader community.

Our Mission: To promote sound, integrated managerial and skills training in agriculture with advanced specialisation in area specific fields of excellence informed by industry and societal needs.

Read about the different careers in agriculture in our brochure.

Courses on offer at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute

At present, training programmes are offered at Higher Education and Training (HET) and Agricultural Skills Development (ASD) levels.

1. Higher Education and Training (HET)

The HET programme aims to train junior farm managers, production managers, technicians, value chain role-players and advisors with a wide range of technical and practical skills, detailed knowledge and understanding that will equip them to seek a diverse range of employment opportunities, or to further learning and training within the agricultural industry.

An objective is to maintain a healthy balance between theory and practice and practicing the philosophy of “Training by doing” is an important feature during practical sessions. Close collaboration with researchers from the Department of Agriculture and commercial farmers is a special support feature, enhancing the standard of tuition. The training is based on farming enterprises and demands, with the main focus on the Agricultural commodities of the Western Cape.

B.Agric degree (M +3 years)

Diploma in Agriculture (M + 3 years)

Equine Studies (M + 1 years)

2. Agricultural Skills Development (ASD)

The Occupational Certificates offered at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). An occupational qualification is a qualification associated with a trade, occupation or profession resulting from work-based learning. Occupational qualifications make work experience an important part of learning.

The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute also provides short courses for commercial farmers, emerging farmers, land reform beneficiaries and all agricultural interested parties. Short courses are presented on farms, in rural communities, at the ASD decentralised training centres based in George, Oudtshoorn, Bredasdorp, Clanwilliam and Elsenburg.

• Occupational Certificates

About the QCTO
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) was established in terms of the Skills Development Act, (Act no. 97 of 1998). It is the Quality Council responsible for the Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework (OQSF), given the mandate, to quality assure occupational qualifications and the development thereof.

Why a QCTO qualification?

• All QCTO qualifications have a work experience component that increases one’s probability of employability (Applied knowledge)
• QCTO qualifications are demand-driven, meaning they address the needs of the labour market
• The QCTO adapts a blended learning approach that integrates classroom based and practical field assessments.
• This allows students to not only be knowledgeable on the subject matter but acquire all skills to increase their employability in the field of Agriculture.

We offer the following occupational certificates

• Orchard and Vineyard Foreman
• Occupational Certificate: National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 04
• Livestock Farmer (Livestock Farm Supervisor)
• Occupational Certificate: National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 03
• The duration of an occupational qualification is a maximum of one year.

Applications:

• Applications open on 01 April and close on 30 June annually.
• All applications are subject to the formal selection and admission process of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute.
• Limited space is available for the Occupational Programmes.
• The successful applicant will sign a legal agreement with an employer, stating the rights and responsibilities of the learner, and will follow the academic programme of the Occupational Qualification.
• The employer provides the work experience part of the Occupational Qualification and signs the same legal agreement stating the employer’s rights and responsibilities.
• Training providers provide the training on behalf of the employer and sign the same legal agreement stating the training provider’s rights and responsibilities. 

How much will it cost?

• The Occupational Qualification is offered to students at no cost and funded by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. The only cost that is not covered is transport to and from Elsenburg and the practical facility.
• The WCDoA covers the following costs:
  • Registration fee, Class fees, Computer usage, Photocopy fee, Printing fee, Stipends, Hostel Accommodation for successful hostel applicants, meals and protective clothing)

What qualifications will I receive on completion of the course?

• On successful completion an Occupational Certificate is obtained on the relevant NQF Level of the chosen study field.
• At the end of the academic year, successful students take part in the graduation ceremony where they are awarded certificates issued by QCTO.
• Further studies are encouraged to better your situation.

Will I get a job after completing the Occupational Qualification?

No employment is guaranteed. The employer who provides you with an opportunity for practical workplace experience also does not have an obligation to provide you with employment. However, the Occupational Qualification will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge, which will put you in a more employable position. 

Qualifications offered:

A.     Occupational Certificate: Orchard and Vineyard Foreman NQF Level 04:
Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO) Number: 110667

Entrance requirements:

• Learners in possession of five years of experience as a supervisor on a horticultural farm with literacy and numeracy at AET Level 3; or
• NQF Level 2 (Grade 10/ Std. 8) with Communication; i.e. English Home Language or English Additional Language; and Mathematics Literacy. 

COMPULSORY Requirement: Access to a Farm for Practical

B.     Occupational Certificate: Livestock Farmer (Livestock Farm Supervisor) NQF Level 03: Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO) Number:  99253

Entrance requirements:

• Learners in possession of NQF level 1 (Grade 9/ Std. 7) with Communication i.e. English Home Language or English Additional Language; and Mathematical Literacy.

COMPULSORY requirement: Access to land or Farm for Practical

Preference will be given to applicants residing in the Western  Cape Province. The following will be beneficial towards placement on the Occupational Qualification Programme and  must be indicated on the application and/or CV of the applicant.

• Farm/Agri Worker child
• Residing in Rural Area
• Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy
• Physical Science
• Life Science
• Agricultural Science
• Agricultural experience and training
• Beneficiaries of farm/land for agricultural purposes.

Roll-out of the Occupational Qualification Programme (Subject to change)

The Occupational Qualification Programme integrates theory, practical and workplace experience and will be scheduled to ensure exposure and assessment on all three aspects.

Graduation: Early December each year

Note: A detailed calendar / year planner will be available to successful candidates upon registration in January of the relevant academic year.

• Non-formal short courses

Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute offers non-formal short courses over a period of 1 to 10 days. Beneficiaries will receive a certificate of attendance. 

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