Current and potential future Board members of dairy co-ops across Ireland will take part in the 2011-12 ICOS training programme for Dairy Co-operative Directors from early December onwards.  The programme has been developed by ICOS across several key elements of co-op leadership.  The FBD Trust has also rowed in strongly as a sponsor.

 

The programme is designed to inform and challenge agribusiness leaders as they make important decisions around the strategic direction of their own co-operatives in the future. It is delivered over four days covering modules including Co-operative Governance, Leadership and Strategy, Finance and Reporting, Dairy Processing and Operations and Co-operative Finance.

The training modules raise the bar for participants with workshops simulating boardroom operations along with scenarios and challenges which boards are likely to face in the context of quota abolition, milk expansion and increased working capital demands.  It will also identify strategies adopted by international co-operatives, seeking inputs from participants.

 

ICOS has also commenced its Co-operative Leadership Programme for Young Farmers in association with Macra na Feirme.    This is delivered over three days covering similar themes to the Dairy Co-op Directors programme.  It also places an emphasis on realistic scenarios and case studies where participants are challenged and advised on how to approach a range of co-operative leadership issues.

 

Macra participants in the ICOS Dairy Co-operative Directors Programme can also take part in a fourth day which includes a briefing session from senior industry executives and a study tour of the Moorepark Research Centre.

 

Welcoming the initiative, Macra President Alan Jagoe said “It is essential for young farmers to take an active part in the future direction of their co-operatives. This course will equip young dynamic dairy farmers with the skills and knowledge which will contribute to the future success of the Irish dairy industry. Mr Jagoe said, “it is important to build on this positive partnership with ICOS which will deliver an invaluable education and training for Macra members and future industry leaders”.

 

“Faced with major challenges in the required gearing up of the Irish dairy sector to meet the expansion targets of Food Harvest 2020, the co-operative sector needs directors and leaders who are knowledgeable and proficient in corporate governance, leadership and strategy,” said ICOS President Pat McLoughlin.  “The provision of leadership training by ICOS is designed to ensure that co-operatives will retain their competitiveness for the future based on strong business management principles.”

 

Pat McLoughlin also warmly acknowledged the support of FBD as a sponsor of the Co-operative Leadership Programme.  “Everyone associated with Irish agriculture knows that there is strong growth potential for the future and it is important for influential organisations to underpin this possibility by also supporting growth in knowledge and expertise within the industry.  FBD is to the forefront in assisting this process through its sponsorship of the ICOS Co-operative Director and Leadership programmes.”

 

ICOS – the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society – represents 130 co-operative businesses and organisations in Ireland – including the dairy processing co-operatives and the co-operative livestock marts nationwide – with some 150,000 individual members, 12,000 employees in Ireland (a further 24,000 abroad) and combined turnover of €12 billion. Irish agricultural exports contribute over €7 billion to the Irish economy each year and the sector accounts for 8% of national employment.