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Local teenagers in Yr 11are being invited to enter the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, which offers young people the chance to gain hands-on experience of the beef supply chain. ABP Northern Ireland, which has a site in Newry, is behind the initiative alongside Certified Irish Angus.
The competition is open to teams of two to four 14 to 15-year-olds from schools, clubs and societies. Teams enter via the ABP Angus Youth Challenge website, with a selection then invited to showcase their ideas at a high-profile exhibition event at Balmoral Park, where a panel of judges will determine which teams progress to the finalist stage.
Teams selected to reach the final stage will have the opportunity to rear their own mini-herd of Angus-cross calves, valued at approximately £3,500, with guidance from a College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise mentor. They will also retain the proceeds from the sale of their animals to ABP. As an additional reward, finalist teams will embark on an exclusive farm-to-fork inspiration trip with ABP and Certified Irish Angus, giving them the opportunity to see different aspects of the beef industry and broaden their understanding of the journey of beef from farm to consumer.
The Challenge is designed to complement students' GCSE studies through practical learning and real-world experiences, supporting subjects including Agriculture, Biology/Science, Geography, Business, Mathematics, English, Home Economics and Learning for Life and Work. From livestock production, sustainability and the food chain to numeracy, communication, research, teamwork and presentation skills, students have the opportunity to broaden their classroom learning and gain experience of best practice techniques in beef farming. The finalist programme also provides training in communication, presentation and interview techniques, helping students develop transferable skills and confidence that can support them in school and when seeking employment.
George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP Northern Ireland, said, "We know from participating schools that the programme complements classroom learning across a wide range of GCSE subjects, while giving young people the opportunity to learn more about potential employment in agriculture and the wider food manufacturing sector."
Charles Smith of Certified Irish Angus added, "The competition is aimed at opening young minds to the opportunities in the agri-food industry, Northern Ireland's largest private sector employer. Many of our past participants have progressed to relevant courses and degrees and are on a path to or are already working in our industry."
The overall winning team at the end of the Challenge will receive a £1,000 prize for the benefit of their school or club. Participation can also count towards the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh/Joint Award.
Enter at abpangusyouthchallenge.com
