Returning to work can be daunting. But a returner-friendly employer can make the world of difference.
Every week, Back To Work Connect spotlights Irish companies that offer the most support to returnees so you can find your perfect back-to-work fit.
This week we’re profiling Teagasc.
If supporting agriculture and food industries, career development opportunities, and upskilling matter to you then Teagasc may be the perfect place to restart your career.
Company background: Teagasc
Teagasc, The Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is a non-commercial state body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for providing research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.
Teagasc is unique in that it encompasses three core functions of research and innovation, farm advisory services, and education and training into one organisation.
The company’s mission, to provide leadership and support to Irish farmers and food companies in achieving a sustainable food system, is underpinned by its values of Respect, Excellence and Integrity.
Teagasc operates at 55 locations across the Republic of Ireland employing approximately 1,200 staff.
Why work at Teagasc?
What makes Teagasc a great place for returnees?
Teagasc offers attractive salary scales with incremental annual pay increases, career advancement structures, career development opportunities, a defined benefit pension plan and a range of well-being services to look after the physical and mental health of its staff.
The company has a number of policies as part of its Agile Working programme, such as home working, to support employees in achieving a more balanced working life.
As a knowledge organisation, Teagasc is passionate about continued learning and upskilling. It has a generous learning and development fund and its staff have access to a wide variety of online courses through its Learning Management System.
Teagasc is also a diverse, intergenerational organisation with almost 50 different nationalities represented.
What to expect
You might be wondering what a typical working day looks like at Teagasc.
At Teagasc, your daily activities will vary depending on your role. Your day might involve delivering lectures and practical training to students or engaging with farmer clients, offering expert guidance and technical support.
You could spend your time in a laboratory conducting experiments, analysing data, or collaborating on projects.
Perhaps your day might be spent outdoors on one of the company’s research or college farms, or in one of its offices supporting key functions such as HR, finance, administration, IT or business delivery.
Across all roles, you’ll collaborate with colleagues, customers, and external stakeholders both in Ireland and internationally through in-person meetings, phone calls, and virtual interactions.
Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a dynamic and impactful team.
What employees love about working at Teagasc
People working in Teagasc share a common goal of supporting the agriculture and food industries to become more sustainable from an economic, social, environmental and innovation perspective.
Here’s what they have to say about working at Teagasc…
• They experience “high job satisfaction”
• They receive a lot of support working in their respective departments and felt very welcomed when they joined
• That Teagasc provides “good work-life balance” and that working in Teagasc “ticks all aspects of career development working in a collaborative environment”
• That “there is a very friendly and welcoming experience working at Teagasc”
Careers at Teagasc
Want to work at Teagasc?
Teagasc offers a wide variety of career paths with roles in Research, Education and Advisory across a number of disciplines all related to the agri-food industry.
It recruits:
- Research Officers
- Post-Doctoral Fellows
- Agricultural Advisors
- College Teachers
- Technologists
- Technicians
- Farm Operatives
And support roles such as:
- Administration
- Project management
- Human resources
- Finance
- Accountancy
- Corporate services
- ICT
Want to improve your odds of getting hired at Teagasc?
The company uses a competency-based selection process so it will look for you to share your past experiences as an indicator of your suitability for the role.
As an individual who is returning to the workforce, you’re encouraged to bring forward your previous experience and demonstrate how this experience can be of value to Teagasc.
You’ll be informed in advance of what competency areas will be assessed at the interview.
Interested in a career at Teagasc?
If you’d like to know more about the roles Teagasc is currently hiring for, check out our returner-friendly jobs board.
For more information and supports on creating a Returner Friendly recruitment process reach out to our team at info@backtoworkconnect.ie
Keep up to date with the latest Returner Friendly employers, upskilling & retraining opportunities by joining our platform HERE
Sign up to our newsletter & job alert today and never miss the ideal opportunity again ! Sign up HERE
