Agriculture
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Qualification to be obtained:
Agricultural Mechanization Technician

Duration of study:
4 years

Requirements for prior education:
basic education (after 9th grade)

Programme accredited:
until 12 December 2030

Scholarship:
up to 150 EUR per month

Educational documents awarded:
diploma of vocational secondary education,
certificate of professional qualification.

Internship:
yes

Location of study:
Malnava

General education subjects: Latvian Language I; Foreign Language I (B2); Foreign Language (B1); Mathematics I; Natural Sciences; Physics I; Literature I; Social Studies and History; Physical Education.
Lifelong learning competency modules: Public and Personal Safety; Language, Cultural Awareness, and Expression; Initiative and Entrepreneurship; Green Skills.
Professional Competency Modules: Basic Agricultural Processes; Soil Properties, Tillage, and Improvement; Agricultural Yield Documentation; Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanization; Mechanical Work; Disassembly and Assembly; Mechanized Feeding and Care of Farm Animals; Plant Protection; Operation of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment; Maintenance of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment; Mechanized Crop Cultivation and Storage; Troubleshooting of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment; Work Planning and Organization; Training of Tractor Operators; Driver Training; Basics of Welding; Organic Farming; Forest Management.
Internship as an agricultural mechanization technician.
During the study period, students must pass centralized exams in general education subjects, exams in vocational training courses, and, at the end of the study period, a centralized vocational qualification exam.
In the 3rd year, students take an exam to obtain a Class 2 user certificate for plant protection products.
During the programme, students are prepared to obtain a TR2 category tractor operator’s license and a category B driver’s license.
application;
a copy of a document certifying prior education or a copy of a document certifying professional qualifications, with the original presented to the head of the educational institution, if prior education is required to enrol in the vocational education programme/ or a copy of the certificate of recognition of the educational document, presenting the original to the head of the educational institution if the document certifying education was issued abroad;
3 passport-size photos (3x4 cm);
an extract from the inpatient/outpatient medical record (Form No. 027/u) containing information about the person’s chronic conditions, including vision, hearing, functional, or mental impairments, allergies, and limitations on physical activity;
a valid identification document (passport or ID card) must be presented.
There is very high demand within the industry for specialists with this qualification, who can work at companies such as Kotiņi, Amatnieki/Riekstiņi, Virši AG, Agrofirma Turība, Sprūževa, Vaicuļevas, Amazon, Baltic Agro Machinery, Valtek, DeLaval, and others.
An agricultural mechanization technician plans, organizes, and performs technical maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment; sets up and maintains repair areas and equipment storage facilities; develops technical support systems; plans and organizes the implementation of the latest agricultural mechanization technologies in the company; ensures the performance of tractor units and self-propelled machinery; maintains farm equipment, as well as primary processing equipment for livestock, crop, and horticultural products, in working order; identifies defects in machinery and equipment through sensory inspection, and replaces worn-out parts, assemblies, and units; performs mechanized, automated, and/or robotic tasks related to soil preparation and maintenance, crop sowing, planting, tending, harvesting, primary processing of produce, storage, and the care and feeding of farm animals.
After completing the programme, students may continue their studies at LBTU Malnava College in the short-cycle professional higher education programme Entrepreneurship of Agriculture and earn the fifth level of professional qualification (LKI 5) as an Agricultural Specialist or in the study programme Crop Production and earn the fifth level of professional qualification (LKI 5) Crop Production Specialist, or at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
Good living conditions in a recently renovated dormitory with a modern gym, a lounge, and a study room.
Sports facilities are available.
During extracurricular hours, students are offered opportunities to participate in interest-based education according to their preferences (at the start of the academic year, a survey is conducted to identify students’ interests, and the range of interest-based education (clubs) is tailored to their preferences). Traditionally, the college offers various sports clubs, a welding club, a karting club, and others.
Opportunity to participate in the college’s student government.
Students can participate in ERASMUS+ mobility programmes in various European countries.