CAFRE agriculture scholarship winners begin their year in industry

Date published: 24 September 2026

The programme provides students with a one-year paid placement with a leading agri-food business, as well as a £2,500 bursary to support their studies. In total £106,000 was awarded in bursaries and scholarships to students across CAFRE in 2026. 

BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture students Sarah Boyd, Christopher Hunter and Aoibhin Kelly were among those selected and will take up placements across a diverse range of roles within the agri-food industry. Before beginning their placement year, they shared their ambitions and expectations for the experience.

Sarah Boyd – Pilgrim’s Europe

Sarah Boyd, from Carrickfergus, was awarded a scholarship from Pilgrim’s Europe, a top UK and European food company, producing own label and branded fresh chicken, pork and lamb. Sarah will take up a poultry-based role and is looking forward to seeing a range of areas throughout the company such as the feed mill, the hatcheries and the breeders. 

Sarah commented: “I am looking forward to gaining practical, hands-on experience in a leading agri-food business and learning from experienced professionals. I'm excited to develop new skills, understand more about the industry, and see how the knowledge I've gained through my studies is applied in a workplace setting.”

In addition, Sarah believes her confidence, leadership and critical thinking skills will be advanced throughout her placement. Sarah is very grateful for the opportunity to complete a scholarship with Pilgrim’s Europe.

Sarah said: “Receiving this scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and I am very grateful to both CAFRE and Pilgrim's Europe for giving me the opportunity and investing in my future. I hope to make the most of the placement by learning as much as possible, contributing to the business and developing skills that will support me as I head into my final year on completion of my placement and throughout my future career.”

Christopher Hunter – Fane Valley Stores

Christopher Hunter from Kesh in County Fermanagh was successful in securing a scholarship with Fane Valley. Initially his placement will be based in the Fane Valley store in Omagh. This opportunity will allow Christopher to complete relevant training such as health and safety training, forklift certification and product management training. 

Christopher said: “I am looking forward to continuing to develop my knowledge and experience, with the opportunity to work in other stores and gain exposure to the company's headquarters.

“This scholarship provides me with the opportunity to gain valuable insight into how Fane Valley operates as a business. It will allow me to experience the day-to-day challenges and successes of the organisation while developing the practical skills, industry knowledge, and professional experience that will support my future career.”

Aoibhin Kelly – ABP 

Aoibhin Kelly, from Omagh, secured a scholarship with ABP. Aoibhin said: “ABP is a leading company within the agri-food sector. Having been familiar with its reputation within the Irish and UK livestock and meat industry, I was particularly interested in the opportunity to gain firsthand experience within the organisation.

“The red meat sector has always been an area of interest to me, particularly due to its importance within agriculture and the wider food supply chain. I felt that a placement with ABP would provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about the industry while developing skills that will be valuable throughout my future career, as well as giving the opportunity to apply my learning from CAFRE directly to the workplace.”

In addition, Aoibhin believes the ABP Scholarship will have a significant positive impact on her future career by allowing her the opportunity to graduate with a full year of industry experience. In an increasingly competitive job market, practical experience is highly valued by employers and will strengthen her employability after university.

Aoibhin said: “The placement will allow me to build valuable professional connections within the agri-food industry. Networking with colleagues, supervisors, and industry professionals can open doors to future opportunities and provide a support network as I progress in my career. I hope to develop my confidence, communication skills, and ability to work effectively within a professional environment.”

If you are interested in a career in the dynamic agriculture industry, CAFRE offers many pathways including Ulster University-validated FdSc in Agriculture and Technology and BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture, delivered at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. 

Find out more about our courses and facilities at our Agriculture Open Day at Greenmount Campus on Friday 9 October, book your place on the CAFRE website.