Dunbia launches new graduate and apprenticeship development programmes
Dunbia has launched three dedicated training and development programmes, to help shape and enhance the future skills of the UK’s meat processing industry.
Graduates from the Dunbia and Dawn Meats UCD Management Training Programme, pictured with CEO Niall Browne.
The programmes will 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 nationwide graduate programme for 2020, ‘Brighter Futures’, 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.
Continuous development and training are central to the programme which seeks to support the development of graduates into Dunbia leaders of the future. Graduates on the ‘Brighter Futures’ programme will have access to dedicated mentors, providing 1-to-1 coaching, and will participate in a bespoke management development programme with fast track career progression. Representatives from Dunbia and Dawn Meats have been meeting with interested applicants at graduate fairs around the UK and Ireland.
Dunbia’s Highland Meats in North Ayrshire has launched a new Butchery Academy in collaboration with Scottish Meat Training.
At a time when demand for local beef is rising in the UK, Dunbia says it is important to proactively engage with its 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 (meat skills). This accreditation is a recognised qualification across the industry.
Another programme of development 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
- Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
Commenting on the launch of these initiatives, Caroline Heagney-Walsh, Dunbia’s head of HR, Northern Ireland 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.”
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