Course Summary
Course Category: Apprenticeship Courses (FET / HET)
Agricultural mechanics are concerned with fault-finding, repair, overhaul and maintenance of farm tractors and farm machinery. These farm machines could include forage harvesters, balers, bale wrappers, mowers, combine harvesters, crop-sprayers, fertiliser distributors, diet feeders, tillage and slurry handling equipment.
Their skills overlap with those of other crafts within the motor family of crafts, therefore they are equipped to carry out some repair work on ATVs (All Terrain Vehicle– Quads), light and heavy commercial vehicles, earth moving equipment, forklift trucks and other vehicles. Besides the normal agricultural tractor and machinery garages, some large agricultural contracting firms employ their own agricultural mechanics. MTU is the only Technological University or Institute of Technology in the country which offers craft level apprenticeship courses in agricultural mechanics. Our facilities give apprentices a unique opportunity to experience the state-of-the-art technology currently being employed in the agricultural sector.
Course Details
What will you study?
Progression to CAO Courses
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.