Careers in dairy: adolescents perceptions and attitudes

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions of Irish adolescents towards potential careers in dairy farming within the context of generational renewal for a dynamic agri-food sector.

Design/methodology/approach: The lens of occupational choice theory was used to present a framework within which potential careers are considered. A questionnaire-survey was undertaken with 490 Irish adolescents (15–18 yrs).

Findings: While parents have the greatest influence on the career choices of adolescents, there was a positive correlation between studying agricultural science in school and considering an agricultural related career. Adolescent's attitudes towards careers in dairy farming were subject to perceptions about gender, farm ownership, potential income and work-life balance. There was a high degree of openness to gaining work experience on dairy farms.

Practical implications: With an increased interest in agricultural science in second level schools in Ireland, the findings point to opportunities to influence awareness and attitudes of adolescents and their parents about career possibilities in dairy farming and to encourage both familial and non-familiar generational renewal.

Theoretical implications: The paper contributes an understanding of career choices and aspirations in adolescence to add to the growing body of literature on generational renewal in farming.

Originality/value: This paper focuses specifically on dairy farming, providing more detailed information about adolescents’ perceptions of dairy farming careers. The study highlights the positive relationship between studying agricultural science in school and subsequent interest in agricultural related careers. The results indicate that generation renewal in agriculture can be enhanced by giving increased attention to agriculture in school curricula.

KEYWORDS:

• Career
• dairy farming
• agricultural education
• students
• secondary school
• perceptions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Marion Beecher, PhD, is a Research Officer working with Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). Her research interests are dairy farm labour productivity and efficiency; labour efficient technologies (e.g. infra-structure, work practices and work organisation) and human resource management within dairy farm businesses. Prior to this she co-ordinated the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management programme designed to train the next generation of dairy farm managers.

Dr. Monica Gorman is a lecturer in agricultural extension and innovation in UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science. She has developed and coordinates postgraduate Masters programmes for agricultural science graduates who want to work in farm advisory and agricultural education roles.

Paidi Kelly is a Research Officer working with Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). His work project is entitled ‘Career pathways in dairy farming’ and is focused on collaborative farming models and projecting national labour requirements. Paidi previously worked as a Dairy Specialist Journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal before joining Teagasc. Paidi is also involved in a dairy farming partnership which operates on non-owned land.

Brendan Horan, PhD, is a Grassland Research Officer with Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) based at the Animal Grassland and Innovation Centre at Moorepark, Co. Cork. He is responsible for multi-year farm systems research projects in the field of grazing dairy systems and their impacts on animal performance, farm system profitability and environmental efficiency. His research interests include the development and evaluation of more resilient grazing systems of dairy production. He holds a PhD in Dairy Science from University College Dublin.

ORCID

Marion Beecher http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5161-3489

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Dairy Levy Trust [MKLS0161].