Work on Agri Careers 2017 is well under way in Farmers Journal towers. The Agri Careers Fair, which we are hosting in partnership with open eir, takes place on 30 March in the RDS and this week, six key industry players were announced as exhibitors. These include three of the major co-ops (Glanbia, Dairygold and Aurivo), two of the biggest meat processors (ABP and Kepak) and agricultural-machinery manufacturer CLAAS. All of these companies will be recruiting at the fair, with Glanbia confirming to Irish Country Living it will be placing a particular emphasis on its graduate programme, work placement and summer internship positions at the fair.

Two educational institutions which place a particular focus on agri engineering degrees are also confirmed as exhibitors this week: IT Tralee and Harper Adams. Harper Adams is located in Shropshire in the UK and sees a significant Irish contingent enrol every year, so much so that the college has its own Irish society – Harper Ireland. Applications to this university are made through UCAS, which is the British equivalent to the CEO, and the deadline for applications was 15 January. However, Harper Adams states on its website that: “late applications are accepted and processed by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application year”. Irish students need to think of college fees when considering their options in the UK but there are some scholarships available to students.

IT Tralee offers Level 7 and Level 8 BSc in Agriculture degrees, while there are also Level 7 and Level 8 BSc in Agricultural Engineering degrees available.

The Agri Careers Fair will kick off with a breakfast briefing which provides a platform for industry professionals to network before the doors open and the real business of the day begins – matching suitably qualified and suitably interested candidates with great jobs in the agri industry.

However, the Agri Careers Fair is much more than a jobs expo. The main stage will host a range of speakers all day who will explain how they reached their position, while other talks will focus on particular elements of the industry, showcasing the current opportunities within it. There will also be a Career Advice Hub and a schools zone where we will provide a range of talks and speakers and stands who will address the needs of young people who want to do a college course to prepare them to work in the agri industry.

Those of you who have a particular interest in all matters agri tech should also mark down 29 March in your diaries as this year, the fair is incorporating an AgTech Summit which begins on the evening of 29 March and continues the next day at the fair itself where an AgTech Hub will be in full flow. More details will be announced in coming weeks.

To register for free to attend the fair, visit www.agricareers.ie.