Meat supplier Dawn Meats has announced the graduation of the 2023 class of the Management Development Programme it runs in association with University College Dublin (UCD).
The programme, which is open to employees of both Dawn Meat and Dunbia, a division of Dawn Meats, was launched in 2000, with the company first partnering with UCD in 2015.
Over 500 people have graduated from it since its inception, with 29 staff members graduating in 2023 and 129 employees graduating since UCD's involvement.
Dawn Meats said the programme runs for nine months and features modules on professional development and agri-business, including 1:1 coaching for students, guest speakers and a business project to be completed as a group task. A panel of seven judges across Dawn Meats, Dunbia and UCD adjudicate on the final projects.
The winning team of 2023 was comprised of team leader Daniel O'Dwyer, Katie McGrane, Kirstie Wilkinson, Jake Shambrook and Cathal Farrell. The winners were presented with the Dan Browne Excellence Award in recognition of the achievement, named after Dawn Meats founder and former CEO Dan Browne.
Niall Browne, chief executive of Dawn Meats, said: “The Dawn Meats, Dunbia and UCD Management Development Programme is a super opportunity for those working in our business and I’m delighted to see the class of 2023 graduate successfully.
"This programme helps us recognise and develop the leaders and managers of the future and help them learn the skills they will need to maximise their own potential and that of the Group. It is vital for the Group that we have leaders with the ability and know-how to manage the business into the future and to ensure that the company continues to succeed.”
Julie Dowsett, programme director at the School of Agriculture and Food Science in UCD, said: “The School of Agriculture and Food Science in UCD is proud to partner with Dawn Meats in delivering this programme for the fifth time.
"The personal and professional development that the class of 2023 has demonstrated, as well as their ability to address some of the challenges and opportunities for the sector, highlights their readiness for leadership positions within this dynamic industry.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
