Dunbia launches graduate and apprenticeship scheme
Aimed at shaping and enhancing the future skills of the UK’s meat processing industry, the programmes are designed to cater for young people and graduates who want to embark on a career within the sector, as well as supporting those already working in the industry, with upskilling and further professional development.
The ‘Brighter Futures’ programme is seeking to attract talented and ambitious graduates, who wish to experience different aspects of the Dunbia business including livestock procurement, manufacturing operations, food safety & quality, sales/commercial, engineering, accounting and finance, new product development, human resources and sustainability, during the course of a two-year programme.
Dunbia’s Highland Meats in North Ayrshire has also launched a new Butchery Academy in collaboration with Scottish Meat Training.
The business says it feels it is important to proactively engage with teams to ensure they have the required skills for the future. This programme, lasting between twelve and fourteen months, will focus on developing knowledge and skills in key areas such as product knowledge, learning to identify the different cuts of meat, whilst also developing knife skills in areas of trimming and boning as the apprentices progress through the training.
The Craft Butchers from Scottish Meat Training will work closely with Dunbia’s management team in Highland Meats, in assessing the apprentices as they work toward a Level 2 accreditation in food and drink operations, focusing on meat skills.
This accreditation is a recognised qualification across the industry.
A third development programme has been launched in Dunbia’s Dungannon site in Northern Ireland, where it has introduced three apprenticeship programmes across a range of functions: Level 2 and 3 in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills; Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink and a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering.
Dunbia’s head of HR for Northern Ireland Caroline Heagney-Walsh said: “Attracting new talent into our industry is essential for future growth and sustainability. We must ensure that we have engaging and robust training and development programmes to support knowledge and skill development, enabling us to provide clear pathways for career progression and helping develop our leaders of the future. All three of our initiatives clearly demonstrate the commitment our business has to creating exciting opportunities within the meat industry. We are future-focused, providing real opportunities to develop a great career.”
