Agriculture and food are “in a really strong place” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue ,said today (Wednesday, February 28) as he opened the University College Dublin (UCD) Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day.
Minister Charlie McConalogue told students: “We’re a great food producing nation and agriculture has always been our largest indigenous industry and our largest employer.
“Our economy has developed massively over the last number of decades but we’re still the largest sector employer and indeed exporter and that’s because we’re so blessed in relation to our capacity to produce food in this country”.
Minister McConalogue
The minister also said that he believes there are great opportunities in agriculture and food and whatever people’s talents are they should develop them and “go for it”.
Minister McConalogue highlighted that there is a “very strong future” right across the sector from primary production right through the food chain to all the supporting services and new technologies.
The UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day event is a highlight in the calendar year for final-year UCD agricultural science students.
The long-established event provides an opportunity for soon-to-be graduates of the various agricultural and food science programmes to connect and network with potential future employers.
Nearly 50 exhibitors, including Agriland Media Group, attended today’s event which provided students with an opportunity to hear directly from leading organisations across the agriculture and food industries.
Also speaking to students at this morning’s event opening was:
- The dean of agriculture and head of the School of Agriculture and Food Science at UCD, Prof. Frank Monahan;
- Agri-food regulator CEO, Niamh Lenihan;
- President of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) Niamh Bambrick;
- UCD Agricultural Science Society 2023/2024 Careers Committee Chairperson Amy Woods.
The careers day is one of a series of career-focused events hosted within the school to support students with their career development.
Agri recruit
Students who attended today’s careers day saw a sample of the jobs that are currently on offer in the agricultural sector and there are also a ranging selection of jobs currently advertised on AgriRecruit.
AgriRecruit is Ireland’s leading agricultural recruitment portal. Its aim is to bring together all the latest agricultural recruitment opportunities available to recent graduates, established professionals and skilled agricultural workers across Ireland.
Agriland Media Group currently has a range of job opportunities for both graduates and those interested in changing career.
There are currently vacancies for both technical reporters and commercial staff and those interested in applying can e-mail [email protected] with their application area in the subject line.