CAFRE Higher Level Apprenticeship graduates reflect on their career success

Date published: 17 September 2026

By combining study with workplace experience, the CAFRE HLA has helped them build successful careers within Northern Ireland's food and drink industry, a sector worth around £7.3 billion annually and supporting approximately 109,000 jobs. This industry offers exciting opportunities for those willing to learn, develop and grow.

Four graduates, now established in roles across the sector, recently looked back on their journeys, highlighting the opportunities studying food courses at CAFRE has created for them.

Class of 2024: John Sherry

John Sherry from Aughnacloy is a Training Coordinator at Dale Farm. He plays a key role in workforce development, training compliance and employee progression across a manufacturing site employing more than 300 people. John believes the combination of academic learning and practical workplace experience set him up for a successful career.

"I chose to study the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacture at Loughry Campus because the traditional university route didn’t feel quite right for me. I was attracted to the opportunity to gain a degree while also building practical industry experience."

Throughout the programme, John found that being able to immediately apply classroom theory accelerated both his professional and personal development. He particularly appreciated learning from experienced lecturers, fellow apprentices and industry visits, all of which broadened his understanding of food manufacturing.

"The value of learning on the job cannot be underestimated. I gained a deep understanding of the industry, and the CAFRE HLA helped me start growing in my career from day one. Balancing work and study taught me how to manage competing priorities, work to deadlines and take ownership of my own development."

His advice to prospective students is simple: "Make the most of every opportunity, by the time you graduate, you're not only leaving with a degree but also with several years of industry experience behind you."

Class of 2023: Abbie Thompson

Abbie Thompson from Antrim, has built an impressive career with Dale Farm, progressing through a variety of operational roles before moving into her current position as Operational Site Business Improvement Lead at Dale Farm.

"I felt the HLA offered the best balance between education and practical experience. The opportunity to earn whilst I learned was particularly appealing, I gained hands-on industry experience while working towards my Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacture. Rather than learning solely from textbook scenarios, I applied concepts to real-life situations and developed a deeper understanding of the subject."

Within Dale Farm, Abbie has rotated through several departments before progressing into roles such as Shift Manager, Production Planner and now Business Improvement Lead, supporting digitalisation initiatives and process improvements across two sites. Looking back, she believes the combination of academic study and industry experience was instrumental in her career development. Her advice to today's apprentices is to embrace every opportunity.

"Don't be afraid to ask questions, get involved in projects and take on new challenges. Completing the CAFRE HLA has been one of the best decisions I have made for my career."

After completing the CAFRE HLA, Abi continued her studies at CAFRE to gain an MSc qualification, which she undertook on a part-time basis alongside her job role.

“The MSc further enhanced both my learning experience and professional development by building on the knowledge and practical skills I had gained through the HLA pathway. The programme encouraged me to think more strategically, strengthen my communication and business skills, and develop a broader understanding of the agri-food industry. Professionally, it has given me greater confidence in leading projects, analysing business challenges, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.” 

Class of 2022: Lewis Connelly

For Lewis Connelly (Dungannon), now an Account Manager with ABP, the CAFRE HLA offered an ideal route into an industry he had always wanted to join. In his current role, Lewis manages 15 customer accounts, overseeing approximately 135 tonnes of beef being processed weekly into products with a value of around £1 million.

"I chose CAFRE, Loughry Campus because it gave me the ideal balance between the classroom and the workplace. Gaining experience on the job, earning money and gaining a qualification in one go was a major selling point."

Lewis enjoyed the highly practical nature of the programme, gaining experience in product development, packaging and laboratory work. During his time on the programme, Lewis won the Higher Level Apprentice (HLA) of the Year Award at the 2022 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards. 

"Winning Higher Level Apprentice of the Year gave me crucial exposure and allowed me to meet a lot of different people within the industry. This is key to growing and gaining experience in the trade. The CAFRE HLA gave me my first experience of project management, problem solving and workplace communications. This gave me an excellent foundation for my career."

His advice is simple: "Be proactive, ask questions and look for ways to apply your learning in the workplace."

Class of 2021: Ross Lorimer

For Ross Lorimer (Ballymoney), the CAFRE HLA represented a fresh start and a pathway into an industry he was passionate about. After initially studying a degree that did not align with his interests, Ross decided to pursue a career in the dairy industry through the HLA route, working at Lakeland Dairies.

"I had always been interested in dairy production and processing and wanted to get involved and gain experience in the industry whilst learning the theory side of what I was doing. As my career has developed, I am constantly reminded of what I was taught at CAFRE."

Ross's career progression has taken him from factory-floor roles through milk planning, environmental monitoring and production leadership positions. Today, he manages around 48 employees as a Production Manager with Lakeland Dairies. His role involves everything from leading teams and driving efficiency improvements to maintaining quality, managing costs and contributing to site strategy.

"My previous experience working on dairy farms and in dairy processing sites equipped me with many tools for my current role. Communication is vital, problem solving is essential and understanding the importance of people is paramount."

Ross believes the CAFRE HLA offers young people the best of both worlds.

"I often felt pressured to attend university to get the best career. The HLA gives you the best of both worlds. Hands-on experience in a sector that is constantly growing and evolving, whilst learning the theory behind it."

Learning While Earning

Although their careers have taken different directions, John, Abbie, Lewis and Ross all highlight the same benefit of the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacture: the opportunity to gain an Ulster University validated BSc (Hons) Degree while building meaningful workplace experience.

Their journeys demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available within Northern Ireland's food and drink industry. Their stories show how the CAFRE HLA equips students with practical skills, professional networks and the confidence to progress, proving that learning while earning can be a powerful foundation for long-term career success. 

If you or someone you know thrives in a team environment, seeks a non-desk-bound career, enjoys practical problem-solving, values travel opportunities, and desires a challenging, yet rewarding career with promising job prospects, consider studying at CAFRE, Loughry Campus.

With a growing need for skilled and qualified professionals to drive innovation and promote sustainability CAFRE offers programmes in Food from Level 3 Extended Diplomas to BSc (Hons) Degree, with apprenticeship options also available, courses are delivered at Loughry Campus, Cookstown. 

Join us at our next Open Day on Tuesday 6 October to meet our staff, view our facilities and learn more about our courses. To find out more and book your place, visit the CAFRE website.