ACS ACADEMY | School of Agriculture

With all the developments in the agricultural arena, science and technologically advanced processes have replaced conventional farming practices to a large extent. This has led to an increase in the demand for a skilled workforce on dairy farms. The dairy farming industry will promote the establishment of best practice standards on dairy farms throughout the country by means of a formal qualification.

This qualification will benefit communities and societies by ensuring that a set of learning standards for knowledge and practical skills are prescribed which must be mastered for any learner who has the need to qualify as a Dairy Farmer.

Consultation on the role, occupational profile, knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience requirements for the various levels of the dairy farmer qualification included emerging dairy farmers, commercial farmers as well as veterinarians consulting mainly in the dairy industry in South Africa, as well as knowledgeable dairy scientists and subject matter experts of long standing.

This qualification equally addresses the needs of the commercial dairy farming industry as well as the emerging farmers. The availability of milk and milk products that meet food safety and quality standards serves the need of the consumer and is supported by this qualification.

It is also important to notice that persons entering the qualification with the aim of qualifying as dairy unit managers have to gain competencies in all the levels of dairy farming practice as covered by this qualification. This includes entry-level competencies in caring for dairy animals, attending to milking and milk parlour processes as well as advancing to higher level competencies related to leading work teams and dairy farm management practices.

Specific defined skill sets included in the design of this qualification prepare the person for a range of employment opportunities on a dairy farm. A person seeking employment on a dairy farm starts as a dairy farm worker and progress to work as a supervisor or herd manager before eventually progressing to a Dairy Unit Manager. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:

• NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and Science