The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) recently hosted its fourth annual ‘Opportunities for Employment in Agriculture’ event at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. This event served as a vital bridge between students and employers in the agriculture industry, offering a platform for over 400 students to connect with potential employers. The event featured over 45 exhibitors, including small, medium, and large agricultural businesses, each presenting a wide range of job roles and placement opportunities.
Paul McHenry, Acting CAFRE Director, emphasized the significance of the event in his opening address. He highlighted the strong working relationships CAFRE has established with various businesses, which are crucial for kick-starting the careers of agricultural graduates. The event showcased an impressive array of roles, from production agriculture jobs to graduate training programmes within leading agricultural businesses, underscoring the bright future for CAFRE graduates.
Joe Mulholland, Senior Lecturer at CAFRE, noted the importance of such events in facilitating face-to-face interactions between employers and potential employees. The ‘Jobs Wall,’ a central feature of the event, displayed over 100 job opportunities, drawing significant interest from students. Each organization had key Human Resources staff available to discuss roles and application processes, leading to positive feedback from both students and businesses.
Peter Alexander from Mason’s Animal Feeds Ltd expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating that it provided an excellent opportunity to engage with students about future opportunities in the agriculture industry. The event also attracted GCSE Agriculture teachers and Careers teachers from schools across Northern Ireland, offering them a firsthand look at the diverse roles available to agriculture graduates.
Karen Laverty, Careers Co-ordinator at St Columba’s College, Portaferry, found the event informative and beneficial. She appreciated the chance to meet past pupils and gain insights into the courses and facilities at CAFRE. Laverty’s positive experience reflects the broader sentiment among attendees, who found the event to be a valuable networking opportunity.
The event also highlighted the success stories of CAFRE graduates, such as Daniel Sloane from Silverhill Duck, who is a graduate of the BSc Agricultural Technology course. His presence at the event, along with current students like Joel McMullen, underscored the practical applications of the education provided by CAFRE.
The event’s success is a testament to the growing opportunities in the agriculture sector and the role of CAFRE in preparing students for these roles. As Joe Mulholland noted, it is an exciting time in agriculture, with a wide range of career opportunities available for students. CAFRE continues to produce high-caliber graduates ready to contribute to the industry.
