Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme seeking applicants from Cork

A survey of Irish workers has revealed interesting new insights into workplace expectations, with younger workers placing a strong emphasis on work-life balance and personal development.

For both Gen Z and Millennials, a healthy work-life balance is the primary consideration when seeking a role (58%), more important than a starting salary (48%), according to new research commissioned by the Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme. It also ranked higher than features including flexible annual leave options (44%), hybrid working (26%) and fully remote working (22%).

The research also highlights that newer generations entering the workplace place a strong emphasis on personal development opportunities. Over half of the respondents (aged 21-42) believe both personal and professional development opportunities are equally important in the workplace while a fifth (21%) believe that personal development is more important to their career.

Mental health supports are ranked as the most important personal development support in the workplace for both Gen Z (51%) and Millennials (56%).

The Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme has been recruiting and training graduates for more than 30 years and has been recognised as the #1 FMCG Graduate Employer in Ireland since 2014.

The programme is now recruiting graduates for 2024 and is looking for creative, innovative, self-starters with an entrepreneurial mindset to follow in the footsteps of Neásan Guilfoyle from Midleton, Cork, who is in his second year of the programme and was based in Bangalore, India for his first 12-months on the programme.

Neasán, who earned a Degree in Finance from University College Cork, said: “Graduate programmes are structured in a way to nurture and develop talent. You receive great training and mentorship because you are hopefully going to be the future of the business.

“You can see tangible results of this with the Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme as some of its alumni have gone on to hold very senior roles within the company, which is really encouraging and motivating for someone hoping to follow in their footsteps.

“As someone who did not come from a marketing background, my time on the programme so far has broadened my knowledge in terms of the possibilities of growing a career in marketing and the different routes I could go down in the future.”

The role of a Jameson Brand Ambassador in Irish Distillers is not a typical nine-to-five role as they are given the freedom and flexibility to shape their own work schedule and encouraged to carve out space for their physical and mental health.

Irish Distillers’ Thrive Wellbeing programme offers employees access to a 24/7 mental health team, mental health coaching, open-ended therapy, a digital gym, and more.

Sinéad D’Arcy, Head of Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme said: “The secret to the success of the Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme has been its ability to adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of applicants.

“The programme has witnessed many changes over its 30 plus years, from pioneering video applications so candidates could showcase their true selves; to breaking down barriers by adapting a skills-first hiring approach which focuses on candidates’ attitude and aptitude over their degree discipline.”

The research also found that Gen Z workers can be conflicted between focusing on their careers and pursuing travel opportunities – for 51%, progressing a career in Ireland is the current priority but one in five plan to advance their career abroad and 1 in 4 intend to take time out to travel.

Jameson Brand Ambassadors have the opportunity to build brand awareness and brand advocacy for Jameson in more than 35 international markets, including Spain, India, Korea, China, and Japan.

For those more focused on progressing their career in Ireland, the Irish Distillers Early Careers Programmes offer domestic roles across a range of disciplines.

The Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme is now accepting applicants for 2024/2025 and is looking for creative, innovative, self-starters with an entrepreneurial mindset to become the next generation of Jameson Brand Ambassadors.

The deadline for applications is 1pm on February 14; please visit www.jamesongraduateprogramme.com for more information.