The Pig Industry Scholarship programme, which provides industry placements for students within the UK, is seeking 2024/2025 sponsors to welcome newcomers to the pig sector.
The programme was developed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the National Pig Association (NPA) and Harper Adams University in 2012.
The programme developers are urging interested companies to consider being a sponsor of the programme. Those keen to develop and recruit future talent can get involved by applying to become a 2024/2025 sponsor before the deadline on 31st August 2023. Placements will start in the summer of 2024.
It welcomes interest from all areas of the industry, including food processing and manufacturing and pig production. Students are given a 12 month paid placement with a partner company, a £4,500 scholarship and a potential further scholarship of £4,500 in their final year.
The Pig Industry Scholarship Programme was created with the intention of showing industry newcomers that the pig industry is more approachable than it may seem. AHDB said that the sector is often not seen as 'glamorous' when compared to something like the arable industry, but the pig industry is one of perseverance and resilience.
"I realise how important it [the pig industry] is now."
Sarah, a Harper Adams University student
Speaking on the AHDB Food and Farming podcast, Harper Adams University student Sarah talked about her experience working on a specifications team within the pig industry. She said: "Because this is a big factory, there are so many roles, and you can see how much everyone is needed, so although I've joined the specifications team, I can see what each other part of the technical team do and I could go into that in the future. I realise how important it is now."
AHDB said that the benefits that sponsor companies see include establishing professional relationships with students early in their career, being seen as a responsible, caring company and attracting new employees.
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.
