Invite to a ‘welly’ good careers evening

Hi my name is Joni and I currently work as a Packaging Technologist for Moy Park in Craigavon.

Ronald and Jonathan Gardiner at the Innovation Centre in Moy Park.

One of the reasons I was offered my job is because I have a first class Honours degree in Food Technology that I completed at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus. 

CAFRE is short for the College of Food and Rural Enterprise and I started at the Loughry Campus when I was only 16. I initially studied on their National Diploma programme and then I progressed to the Degree Programme when I was 18. I suppose at the time leaving school and making new friends was daunting but to be honest the Campus is great with friendly staff. I definitely enjoyed my six years there and I made friends for life as well as meeting my wife to be.

Loughry is a great place to study, a bit like being away from home but still at home if that makes sense. All the staff are really approachable and easy to get on with. My friends in my year are now in well paid jobs within the food industry. So Loughry offers the best combination of academic studies, social life and good job prospects.

I enjoyed the hands-on practical approach the staff took to teaching and I also received a £1,000 bursary award from Danske Bank. This helped towards my course fees which were only £1,800 a year. I also completed a year’s paid placement with Huhtamaki in Belfast and I worked for Tesco’s part time during my studies. This resulted in me having no student loans which is another big positive about studying at Loughry.

CAFRE has definitely given me so many opportunities and a ‘welly’ good career in the food industry. So a big thank you to all the staff at Loughry.

I would encourage anyone who is interested in a degree programme that can lead to a well-paid ‘welly’ good career to come to the Open Evening on Tuesday 8 October from 3pm to 8pm at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.

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