CAFRE graduates should look to a world of opportunities

New CAFRE graduates will be encouraged to embrace change and exploit the worldwide opportunities that will emerge in the agri-food sector of the future.

In addition to congratulating the 619 students who will be graduating from the college’s three campuses at Enniskillen, Greenmount and Loughry, CAFRE Director Martin McKendry will urge graduates to remain open to new ideas and new skills as they move into the workplace.

He will say: “Given the importance of the agri-food sector to the Northern Ireland economy, I firmly believe that there is a need now more than ever for people like you – adaptable and positive, and with the appropriate skills and knowledge to manage and grow your chosen industry.

“Don’t be afraid to experience new cultures, broaden your mind, learn from others and make new business and personal contacts. Embrace new technologies and innovations that are driving industries forward at a rapid pace. You have the skills to rise to these challenges and now it’s time to grasp these opportunities.”

Mr McKendry will also praise the links between industry and the college to help create effective paths for graduates to follow their chosen careers. He will add: “Industry plays an important role in everything we do here in CAFRE. This support is demonstrated in a number of ways, including working collaboratively, providing strategic advice and financial support for students, and offering placements and employment opportunities. For example, in partnership with leading organisations across the agri-food sectors, CAFRE offers a bursary programme of almost £60,000 per year.”

Of CAFRE students who graduated from full-time food courses last year, 97% were in employment or were undertaking a higher level education course six months after graduation.

Today CAFRE has more than 1,700 full and part-time students studying courses at Level 2 and above in Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Technology, Equine and Agri-business across the three campuses.

There are four CAFRE graduation ceremonies, as follows:

• Loughry Campus Awards Day - Friday 22 June 2018 - 2pm
• Greenmount Campus, Horticulture Awards Day Tuesday 26 June 2018 - 2pm
• Enniskillen Campus Awards Day Wednesday 27 June 2018 - 2pm
• Greenmount Campus, Agriculture Awards Day Thursday 28 June 2018 - 2pm

Find out more on the CAFRE website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
2. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
3. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or via email. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

Share this page