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Over 500 new jobs were created across a number of prominent agricultural organisations this year. For the second year running, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has cited a growth in jobs, with 130 created in 2017.
These roles were filled across a number of disciplines including administrative, veterinary, inspectorate, technical, laboratory and industrial staff.
This year saw Bord Bia continue its graduate recruitment drive, taking on 30 new graduates.
In total, 78 positions were filled, including seven full-time positions, 20 new people for its marketing fellowship, 10 new Origin Green ambassadors, 11 MSC in design innovation recruits, as well as the 30 aforementioned graduates.
The IFA created two new positions in 2017, with the lobby group also replacing three roles including its director general. It also took on two summer interns.
There are a lot of people who are not aware of the career opportunities available on dairy farms
FBD created 61 new positions including IT developers, a sales adviser, commercial sales staff, claims handlers and group functions.
In total, 182 roles were filled by the insurer this year.
FRS Network created 21 new positions in various areas in 2017. They also put 200 seasonal workers on farms across Ireland “to meet the increased demand from farming customers”, according to the recruiter.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland also took on 15 graduate and student placements in 2017, ranging from two weeks to 12 months.
Quality control workers
Companies have cited an increase in quality control staff this year. Shannon Vale Foods took on two new quality control staff, while Annalitten Eggs also took on two employees in quality control, in addition to the appointment of a general operative. Dawn Farm Foods and Kerry also informed the Irish Farmers Journal that they expanded their quality teams.
Jobs for rural Wicklow
Rural Wicklow was boosted by news that Quinns of Baltinglass created 20 new jobs. The local employer created these roles across a number of disciplines, from counter sales to higher management positions such as an agri sales manager. In 2018, it expects to create between five and 10 new positions in the company.
New roles in Ballymaloe
Ballymaloe Foods created three new roles in 2017. The food producer hired a production manager, a graphic designer and a supply chain manager. The producer also took on one graduate position, which is 50% supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Bumper catch for Marine Harvest
2017 has been another good year in terms of jobs for seafood company Marine Harvest. Located in 12 areas on the Irish coast, the company took on an additional 75 staff in 2017, 48 of which were newly created posts including 30 seasonal workers.
Has dairy become a victim of its own success of late? Since the abolition of quotas in 2015, the shackles have been released from dairy farmers all over Ireland, but there are not enough workers to meet the demand.
Currently, approximately 20 farm managers graduate each year from the Level 7 course run at Teagasc Moorepark. A testimony to just how in-demand these workers are is highlighted by the fact that most are snapped up before they even graduate.
While this labour is sought around the country, Teagasc’s Paidi Kelly believes that the range of opportunities available for farm mangers is not as well-known as it should be.
“There are a lot of people who are not aware of the career opportunities available on dairy farms. For example, a skilled farm manager with a number of years’ experience could easily be earning €40,000 or more a year.
“Promotion is needed to highlight the opportunities in the sector. We also need new training programmes to make it easier to up-skill those wanting to become a farm manager,” Kelly concluded.
Listen: 6,000 dairy workers wanted
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