‘Opportunities for Employment in Agriculture’ showcase event

COLLEGE of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) students recent-

ly attended an ‘Opport-unities for Employment in Agriculture’ event held at Greenmount campus.

At the event over 30 agricultural businesses showcased the range

of job roles and career opportunities available within the sector. Exhibitors also used the opportunity to meet students interested in work placement opportunities, with an extensive range of possibilities on offer.

Joe Mulholland, the event organiser and CAFRE’s Further and Higher Education Placement Manager, said: “We were de-lighted to welcome over 200 students to the event, which had over 90 jobs displayed on the ‘Jobs Wall’. Events like this provide an important platform for employers to meet face-to-face with those CAFRE students seeking work placements and those investigating career opp-ortunities.”

During the morning event, students were treated to a complimentary breakfast bap and beverage kindly sponsored by the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

Martin McKendry, CAFRE Col-lege Director, commented: “We are very grateful to the UFU for partnering with us at this event, which will enable all levels of agricultural graduates to get their careers kick-started. The range of roles is truly outstanding – ranging from production agri-culture jobs with options for share farming agreements right through to graduate training programmes with leading agri-cultural businesses.

“The future is very bright for all our graduates.”

The ‘Jobs Wall’ attracted a lot of attention from students who followed up their interests by talking to the relevant businesses.

Businesses had HR staff available to explain job roles and application procedures. Company representatives provided fan-

tastic feedback and were de-lighted to have met so many potential employees at one event.

Derek Lough, UFU Membership Director, noted: “Thank you to all the team at CAFRE for putting on a fantastic event and inviting us to be part of it.

“We had so many positive conversations with students ab-out their future opportunities to work in the agriculture industry. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

CAFRE student Lauren Stinson found the event beneficial and said: “Brilliant day at the CAFRE Opportunities for Employment in Agriculture event!

“Great venue and really good to meet so many of the businesses that I’ve been researching. A really positive atmosphere with lots of chat about this great industry we are now part of.” Lauren completed a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture in 2020 and is currently studying for a BSc (Hons) Degree in Agricultural Technology.