Minister McConalogue announces launch of the mandatory training course for SCEP participants

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., today announced the launch of an online training course for participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).

Under the SCEP terms and conditions, participants are required to complete the mandatory online training course on programme actions and animal handling by 15 November 2024. The course consists of a brief explainer video and seven online course modules. The course is accessible online using the pin number provided in the information letter being issued by post by the Department over the coming days. This will also be accessible through the Agfood accounts of SCEP participants. The Department is reminding farmers that they do need a valid e-mail address to gain access to the training material.

Inviting SCEP participants to check out the training portal at www.sceptraining.ie , Minister McConalogue said:

"The letter issuing to all SCEP participants provides all the information necessary to log on the website. The course can be completed in stages and there are support facilities available for anyone encountering difficulties getting started on their training. The big advantage of online training is its flexibility enabling busy farmers to proceed at their own pace and in their own time on whatever electronic device is convenient for them and they can revisit the material whenever they want."

A professional e-learning company was engaged to create and configure an interactive experience tailored to the Department's requirements and the needs of SCEP participants. The training material has been devised by the Department with the assistance of Teagasc, the ICBF and other beef sector experts. The course is focused on the SCEP actions that farmers must undertake as part of the programme - breeding strategies, genotyping, weighing and calving surveys - and also includes a module on farm safety and livestock handling.

Minister McConalogue urged all farmers to engage with the training as soon as possible.

"The training is laid out in a very user-friendly format: it is easy to navigate, and key information is conveyed effectively in relatively short modules. There are some interesting demonstration videos on the programme's core actions which, I think, will be of particular interest and relevance to farmers. A module on farm safety is included because we can never lose sight of the challenges that farming poses to health and wellbeing. If we aware of the risks, we can take action to mitigate them.

Failure to complete the course by 15 November 2024 will render participants ineligible to remain in the programme and monies received will have to be repaid. Completion of all the course modules will be verified by the Department.

The Minister concluded by advising SCEP participants that if they have any queries on any aspect of programme implementation or training, they can contact his Department's Helpdesk at 057 867 4422 or e-mail [email protected] .

ENDS

Notes for Editors

One of the eligibility conditions of SCEP participation requires that participants MUST complete the mandatory online SCEP training course by 15 November 2024. This online training course will help participants successfully implement the actions within SCEP and advise the best practices in farm safety and livestock handling.

Failure to complete all modules of the online training course by 15 November 2024 will result in participants being removed from SCEP and any monies paid under the programme plus the cost of their genomics tests will be recouped.

The training is available to access online at www.sceptraining.ie . Each module should take, on average, around 30 minutes to complete. Participants can do all the modules at once or complete them in stages. It is possible to partially complete a module and pick up where you left off the next time you log in. However, all modules must be completed in full by 15 November 2024 to be deemed compliant with the training requirement.