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People are choosing to enter the agri food industry by design rather than default, according to the AgriFood Diversity and Inclusion Forum’s (AgDif) Pulse Survey. It 80% of employees are choosing to work in the sector due to opportunities in order to make use of their qualification, while 70% highlighted the prospects for career advancement in the agri food industry.
Diversity
The survey also found there is a disconnect between business leaders and employees on the importance of the diversity and inclusion (D&I) agenda – 84% of business leaders state that gender equality and diversity and inclusion are priorities for their organisation, yet only 63% of employees believe this is true where they work. One in five respondents stated they believe D&I is merely ‘a box to be ticked’.
The AgDif forum was developed by Bord Bia and Aon, with the survey conducted across both individuals and companies, capturing responses from 204 individuals and 46 CEOs and senior leaders across dairy and ingredients, meat, seafood, prepared consumer foods and alcoholic beverage companies.
Business leaders in the food and drink sector industry have stated that attracting and developing diverse talent within the industry impacts growth prospects.
The survey found that flexibility in the workplace is still the most important criteria for employees when assessing employment opportunities.
The results show 79% of employees are provided with flexibility in working hours, while 70% within the industry have been offered the opportunity for part-time, job sharing or work from home arrangements.
Senior management
The survey revealed a gap in the progress made in attracting, retaining and progressing a diverse workforce to senior management, with 86% of business leaders stating advancements have been made in recent years, while only 65% of employees believed that to be the case. While half of business leaders think diversity and inclusion is a high priority within the organisation, 24% have not dedicated any time or focus to the issue.
Steps have been undertaken within the food and drink sector to create a diverse talent pool, with 79% of employees confirming Irish food and drink firms offer graduate specific programmes, 76% offer part-time working and 86% provide health and wellness supports.
Industry recovery
“While we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a more challenging economic environment, we believe that the insights from this survey will ultimately help lead the Irish food and drink industry on a road to recovery through innovation and diversity of thought,” CEO of Bord Bia, Tara McCarthy said.
In the last year Bord Bia took on 70 graduates and McCarthy said that there is an even gender split between the new recruits.
“We are extremely proud of the contribution that programmes like the Marketing Fellowship Programme, the Origin Green Ambassador Programme and Food Works have made, and will continue to make, to growing the talent pool of our industry. We believe that in two short years we have taken the correct steps in working towards shifting the needle on diversity and inclusion in this industry, and we look forward to building that momentum in the years ahead.”
The AgDIf Forum webinar will take place on 2 June providing insights into the findings of the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Pulse Survey.
For more information click here.
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