03/03/10

Labour Spokesperson for Food and Agriculture Seán Sherlock believes that funding for up-skilling Ireland's agricultural workforce will in turn generate much needed employment. "The government needs to acknowledge that a return to sustainable growth is achieved through growing our exportable industries. Agriculture is our strongest sector in this regard, and needs widespread encouragement to reach its full potential.

 

"Irish food needs to be at the forefront of the world market, and to continue to do so we need to ensure our producers are offered opportunities to learn cutting edge production techniques.

 

"A part of realising the full potential of the sector is through the sustained development of the existing workforce in the hope that they in turn will generate further jobs. There are many people, both in work and unemployed, with a background in agriculture who would welcome an opportunity to avail of the latest training our third level institutions have to offer.

"For those, already in business in the sector, the opportunity to develop the skills further can in turn lead to a growth of that business, the knock on effect being more employment opportunities in agriculture.

"There are a number of courses available for those wishing to develop their knowledge of food production. I have had representations from the Food Industry Training Unit of UCC who have a number of empty positions across a variety of courses that award established qualifications on completion.

"Whereas before these courses were packed to capacity, cut backs in funding has seen classes run without a full compliment of students as potential candidates are put off by the lack of assistance in paying for the course.

"Providing special funding for those in the industry to develop their expertise further will reap rewards in the future. The potential is there to grow the Irish agricultural sector and create more jobs in the long term. The onus now, however, is on the Government to make the necessary investment.

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