Satisfying food careers showcased at Loughry

FOOD and drink manufact-uring is a key sector to the local economy, offering a wide range of employment opportunities from farm to fork.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) at Loughry campus hosted its biggest ever Food Careers Fair, providing students with the chance to engage with local employers.

The food industry is changing; the adoption of technology is

creating exciting new opport-unities for skills and career development and students at CAFRE were keen to explore job vacancies.

The Careers Day opened with students attending a series of talks by industry specialists. Staff were delighted to welcome back to Loughry campus several college graduates who proved to be inspirational role models when providing insights into their careers to date.

Thirty-five food companies from

across the industry filled the Conference Centre. The careers event was attended not only by final year students exploring job

opportunities but also students preparing to embark on work

placements within food bus-inesses.

On speaking about the Careers Fair, Joshua Clarke, National Diploma in Food Technology student, said: “It’s impressive to see the number of businesses who are actively seeking graduates and offering work placements. Today I have spoken to companies who are offering roles within product innovation, quality, pro-

duction and packaging – to name a few. When you start a course, you hope there are going to be jobs when you graduate and from talking to company representatives today, I am filled with confidence.”

The careers event was a great success and provided students with a real appreciation of how their food qualification can lead to exciting careers in the industry.

Thanking the industry representatives for attending the Careers Day, Teresa McCarney, Acting Head of Food Education at CAFRE, said: “Today is about giving students the opportunity to make industry contacts, meet people, network, learn, grow and be inspired. It’s about motivating students through their studies to help show that following a career into food is a brilliant choice. Supporting the industry is so vital, especially now, and I applaud the businesses who have taken time out to engage with CAFRE students. I think we have all achieved so much today.”

From the wide range of job opportunities available across the food and drink industry, it is easy to see why 94 per cent of CAFRE graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their food course.

If you are considering a career, think food. The industry has a need for qualified talent to fill the workforce gaps. Opportunities exist within production, log-istics, processing, technology, packaging, to name a few. Careers in food span from the field, the factory, the laboratory, test kitchens and the office. Study food at CAFRE and we’ll connect you with a career in food.