Macra has key horticulture role
In 2002, horticulture was valued at 406 million at farmgate level; but this is threatened by serious labour shortages, which arose in recent years due to Ireland’s strong economic growth.
Workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have come to the rescue, operating through the Department’s of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Work Permit scheme.
Now, more than 40% of the horticultural workforce is recruited from outside the EEA.
These workers include 250 students from Estonia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland, who are placed with more than 50 horticultural enterprises for a six month period, through the Seasonal Horticultural Workers Scheme (SHWS).
Run by Bord Glas and Macra, the Scheme was equally successful in 2002, in matching a supply of skilled workers to seasonal labour demands, while giving foreign agricultural and horticultural students practical work experience in the Irish industry.
Interested potential employers should contact Macra na Feirme or Bord Glas as soon as possible.
While all students have currently been placed with horticultural enterprises across the country, there may be a number of students available to take up additional positions from the end of July.
