Pictured launching the initiative are from left Billy Goodburn, ICOS Skillnet Manager;  Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney T.D., Alan Nuzum, CEO of Skillnets and Seamus O’Donohoe, CEO of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).

Pictured launching the initiative are from left Billy Goodburn, ICOS Skillnet Manager; Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney T.D., Alan Nuzum, CEO of Skillnets and Seamus O’Donohoe, CEO of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).

‘Foot in The Door’ an Irish co-operative industry initiative targeting potential new employees for the agrifood sector is coming to Clonakilty, Co. Cork, at the Fernhill House Hotel from 9.00 am – 1.00 pm on Thursday 23rd October.

‘Foot in The Door’ is a training and advisory event for currently unemployed job seekers. It was launched in May by ICOS Skillnets and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine, Simon Coveney. The initiative is targeting potential new employees for the agrifood sector. Events are taking place around the country to highlight new job opportunities and skills needs in the agrifood industry.

The free event in Clonakilty takes place at the Fernhill House Hotel from 9.00 am – 1.00 pm on Thursday 23rd October. Advance registration is essential. To register to attend, candidates should please contact Breeda Flood or Billy Goodburn on 01 613 1348 or on email: [email protected]

Foot in The Door events are happening nationwide (with agrifood co-ops from each region participating). The Clonakilty event includes a jobs advice clinic being provided by ICOS and co-ops including Drinagh, Lisavaird, North Cork Creameries, Dairygold, Glanbia Co-Operative, Barryroe, Carbery Milk Products and Bandon Co-Operative.

Billy Goodburn, ICOS Skillnets Manager said, “The future growth and expansion of the Irish agrifood industry requires additional human resources. In particular the dairy sector has considerable potential given the industry expansion agenda that exists around the removal of milk quotas next year.

“Our initiatives ties in with growth plans for the agrifood industry and the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. The events are free of charge to job seekers in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Job Seekers Benefits and other kinds of allowances, provided that they are registered with their local DSP offices and are not on a CE Scheme, or other Jobs-bridge type of initiative.”

At the recent launch, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said, “I welcome this clever initiative which is seeking to open up new opportunities for job seekers in a sector of the economy that is confident and ambitious and has strong employment potential. The Irish agrifood industry is well positioned to meet continuously growing global demand for foods. It’s important that this growth opportunity has widespread economic benefits for everyone and most particularly for job seekers in rural areas which are the heartland of Irish agrifood production.”

The agri-food sector in Ireland contributes a value of €24 billion to the national economy, generates almost 10% of Ireland’s exports and provides 7.7% of national employment. When employment in inputs, processing and marketing is included, the agrifood sector accounts for almost 10% of employment.