Short Courses

Poultec provides a range of professional courses, which complement the Work-based Diploma’s and Apprenticeships. These courses are specifically designed to ensure that learners are fully up-to-date with industry developments, best practice and legislation.

All our courses are delivered by our tutors, all of which have extensive industry knowledge.

Generally courses are delivered in a location of your choice, however can also be delivered at our premises at South Green Park.

While the courses cover a set structure, it is possible to tailor the content to include relevant company practices. All our agricultural courses are approved by British Poultry Training and therefore meet the minimal standards to allow them to be recorded onto Poultry Passports.

Courses run throughout the year, click here for course dates.

Poultry Welfare: Poultec has developed a suite of welfare courses, which covers Broilers, Breeders, Layers, Turkeys, Hatcheries and Catching/Transportation.

Attending this course will allow learners to successfully identify factors that affect animal welfare and how procedures and practices protect welfare of animals in their care. Learners are given an overview of legislation and assurance scheme requirements.

This workshop contains both interactive activates as well as theory based learning. All learners are given copies of relevant codes of practice and comprehensive notes.

Hygiene & Biosecurity: Poultec have developed two hygiene and biosecurity courses which are aimed at Farms and Hatcheries.

Each course looks at the routes of disease transmission and how putting in simple practices can prevent the introduction or spread of disease. The courses give an overview of common infectious diseases, as well as notifiable diseases. Learners look at the stages of successful cleaning and disinfection, as well as having an overview of COSHH.

This workshop contains both interactive activates as well as theory based learning. All learners are given copies of relevant codes of practice and comprehensive notes.

Introduction to Commercial Free-range Egg Production: This course is aimed at new entrants to the industry and gives an over view of the following topics:

• Housing
• Equipment
• Welfare
• Hygiene and Biosecurity
• Egg Quality
• Feed and Water Requirements
• Range Management

Environmental Awareness: This three-hour course has been developed to give farm and hatchery managers the knowledge to identify environmental issues associated with the production environment and develop management plans to reduce environmental impact.  

The course looks at practical measures to prevent and reduce instances of pollution, including water management, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.   This workshop contains both interactive activates as well as theory based learning.

All learners are given copies of relevant codes of practice and comprehensive notes.

Heat Stress: This three-hour course has been developed to give farm managers and stockmen the knowledge to recognise signs and symptoms of heat stress within their flocks.

The course looks at practical measures to prevent and reduce instances of heat stress including ventilation systems, building design and insulation, and  implementing policies and procedures.

This workshop contains both interactive activates as well as theory based learning. All learners are given copies of relevant codes of practice and comprehensive notes.

Gait Scoring: This three-hour course gives each delegate the required knowledge and skills to carryout practical gait scoring asessment on broiler farms.

Delegates receive instruction and training on the gait scoring criteria, followed by practical gait scoring using video footage.  The course provides information in regards to the causes of leg weakness in poultry, including health, genetics and nutritional factors and gives practical solutions to help reduce the occurance of these issues.

This workshop contains both interactive activates as well as theory based learning. All learners are given copies of relevant codes of practice and comprehensive notes.

Level 2 Award in Safe Working in Agriculture and Production Horticulture: This Level 2 Award in Safe Working in Agriculture and Production Horticulture qualification has been specifically designed with support from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Lantra Sector Skills Council to ‘provide people working within agriculture and horticulture with knowledge to help them protect their own Health and Safety and the Health and Safety of employees who may be affected by their activities’ (HSE).

Learners undertaking this qualification will develop their knowledge of a range of issues in relation to health and safety within the land-based sector. The units will enable learners to test their knowledge and understanding and evidence their awareness of health and safety issues.

This one and half day course includes an assessment in the form of a multiple-choice question paper.

Poultec also offers a range of Health & Safety Courses and First Aid Qualifications relevant to the agricultural sector, see the relevent web-page for more information.

To obtain further information or to book your place on one of our courses, please contact our administration team.