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.
Diploma in Agriculture (M + 3 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.
All correspondence must be directed to:
Head: Student Affairs
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute
Private Bag X1,
Elsenburg,
7607
Tel: 021 808 5451
Email: DOA.Study@westerncape.gov.za
Other training centres:
Bredasdorp: +27 28 425 4810
Clanwilliam: +27 27 482 1362
Outeniqua (George): +27 44 874 8080
Oudtshoorn: +27 44 279 4086
Applications and fees
Higher Education & Training
B.Agric Degree
Applications for the B.Agric degree programme opens in April 2024 and closes on 31 July 2024. All applications should be submitted electronically via the Stellenbosch University Online Application System. For enquiries, applicants should send an email to info@sun.ac.za or phone +27 21 808 9111.
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Diploma in Agriculture
Applications for the Diploma in Agriculture opens on 01 April 2024 and closes on 30 June 2024. All applications should be submitted via the EATI Online Application System.
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Equine Studies
Applications for Equine Studies opens on 01 April 2024 and closes on 30 June 2024. All applications should be submitted via the EATI Online Application System.
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Application enquiries related to the B.Agric, Diploma in Agriculture and Equine Studies programmes can be directed to the following officials:
- She-Earl April on 021 808 7691 or email She-Earl.April@westerncape.gov.za
- Elizabeth Everts on 021 808 7652 or email Elizabeth.Everts@westerncape.gov.za
- Liesl Hendricks on 021 808 5453 or email Liesl.Hendricks2@westerncape.gov.za
Fees
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Bursaries
EATI Bursary Advertisement 2025
EATI Bursary Application Form 2025
Agricultural Skills Development
- 1 Occupational Certificate Programmes
Applications for the Occupational Certificate Programmes opens on 01 April 2024 and closes on 30 June 2024 and should be submitted via the EATI Online Application System.
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Occupational Certificate application enquiries can be directed to the following officials:
- Jacqueline Julius on 021 808 7006 or email Jacqueline.Julius@westerncape.gov.za
- Pamela Sipele on 021 808 7716 or email Pamela.Sipele@westerncape.gov.za
Please note that no late applications for the above-mentioned formal qualifications will be considered.
- 2. Short Courses
Applications for the Short Courses can be done throughout the year. Short Courses are offered on an ad hoc and demand basis and as soon as a minimum of 12 prospective students are on the list for a specific course, the students will be informed of the date, time and venue when that short course will be presented.
Short course enquiries can be directed to the following officials:
- Jacqueline Julius on 021 808 7006 or email Jacqueline.Julius@westerncape.gov.za