One of the many companies exhibiting at the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, Dunbia, has recently launched its 2016 graduate programme. Dunbia is one of the UK’s largest meat processors, with 11 sites across the UK and Ireland. It employs 4,000 people.

The new graduate programme offers a two-year structured training and development programme which will give graduates experience across all aspects of the company’s operations.

Launching the programme, Steve Beck, Dunbia HR director said: “Dunbia has invested heavily in developing our new ONE360 graduate programme which aims to give successful candidates practical commercial experience across our company with ongoing mentoring and support, management development training and industry-recognised qualifications. We have also developed a dedicated graduate website, www.dunbiagraduates.com, to allow candidates on the ONE360 programme to share their experiences and provide more information on the programme.”

Speaking at the launch, Dunbia executive director Jack Dobson added: “The opportunities within Dunbia are immense in areas which include production, new product development procurement and agri research, it, finance and sales. Following the two-year programme, graduates will continue to develop and progress a long-term career in the discipline most suited to their skills, which will be identified through the ONE360 programme.”

While the closing date for Dunbia’s programme is before the Agri Careers Fair (on 14 February to be precise), the fair offers the opportunity to those who have submitted applications to get more information on the programme and to hear the experience of someone who’s gone through it first-hand, namely Neil Swann, who is the general manager of Dunbia’s Primary Factory in Dungannon.

Neil will be taking to the main stage on the day to speak during the “An Internship is a Great Opportunity” slot. Neil completed an economics and management degree in Queen’s University in Belfast and spent many of his summers and weekends in Dunbia, working in operations, intake and sales, as required.

After university, Neil worked in an accountancy practice for 12 months. However, he wanted a more hands-on role and joined the Dunbia graduate programme, during which he spent time in Kilbeggan, Ballymena and Dungannon. He quickly rose through the ranks and is now general manager of the primary factory in Dungannon with a workforce of over 300 staff. The 30-year-old has also won young manager of the year at the Meat & Poultry Processing Awards in 2014.

The Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair takes place in the RDS on 3 March; register for free to attend the event.