The NFU/Zoetis award offers a 拢1,000 training grant and the opportunity to attend sector leading events in a bid to promote the poultry careers of up-and-coming members.
Now in its 19th year, it also gives all three finalists the opportunity to take a full part in the EPIC (Egg and Poultry Industry Conference) at the prestigious Celtic Manor Hotel, Newport, South Wales 鈥� a package itself worth more than 拢700 for each finalist.听
The award highlights the talent, enthusiasm and ambition of many who are making a career in the poultry industry and, as with past winners and finalists, will progress to more senior roles.
Many did not leave school looking to work in the sector, often becoming impressed by its increasing technology and career opportunities.听
2024 finalists
One of the 2024 finalists is Chloe Alexander who lives in Northern Ireland and works across the border in County Monaghan. The other is Oladele Onada, who has a background in the Nigerian poultry industry and is studying at Scotland鈥檚 Rural College.
They will be attending the EPIC event in November where the winner will be announced. The 2025 award is due to be be presented at the British Pig and Poultry Fair next year in Birmingham, with plans for EPIC to host the event in alternate years with no fair.
Apply now
Entries must be submitted by 30 November.
Download the entry form below.
鈥楶oultry sector has a lot to offer鈥�
The award has proved a great initiative highlighting the wealth of young talent seeing a future in the industry,鈥� said James Porritt, Zoetis UK Pig and Poultry Lead.
鈥淔or almost 20 years, it has brought in a great pipeline which is benefiting the industry today.听
鈥淲e look forward to meeting this year鈥檚 finalists. It is always enlightening to hear about how they came into the industry, are benefiting from training, developing their careers and see their future role.鈥�
NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony said: 鈥淚t is really pleasing to see this important award going from strength to strength. 皇家华人is delighted to continue supporting this, which helps highlight the dedication, diversity and development of people working within the poultry sector.听
鈥淭he great thing about this award is that there is no age limit and it is open to everybody working in the poultry sector, regardless of business scale or size and whether in poultry meat or eggs.听
鈥淭raining and development are important in any role and it is vital to invest in people to recruit and retain the variety of skills needed throughout the supply chain. The poultry sector has a lot to offer people looking for a progressive and rewarding career.听
鈥淚鈥檇 like to encourage everyone involved in the poultry supply chain to identify someone they feel could benefit from the recognition and reward that this award provides and to support them to make an application.鈥澨�
Young people are the 鈥榣ifeblood of the industry鈥�
EPIC organiser Howard Birley said: 听鈥淥ur organising committee strongly believes that young people are the lifeblood of our industry, and we are very happy to be involved and support this initiative.听
鈥淲e have reserved accommodation for the finalists at Celtic Manor, the home of EPIC, for 2 and 3 November and allocated places at the conference, the eve-of-event dinner and also the formal banquet that follows the conference. We look forward very much to hosting the presentation during EPIC.鈥�
How to enter
Entries can be made by individuals, employers or training providers. On the entry form candidates provide information about their career to date and training undertaken, and comment on issues facing the industry and their career aspirations.
They can also provide a video to support their entry.听
The judging panel from Zoetis and the NFU interview the finalists online to choose the winner, who is due to be announced at the British Pig and Poultry Fair.
Entries must be submitted by 30 November.听
Return your completed form with a picture of yourself to:
Zoetis-NFU Poultry Trainee Award,听BHR Communications,听Old Hall Farm,听Low Road,听Forncett St Mary,听Norwich,听NR16 1JJ.
Tel: 01508 489389
Email: [email protected]听
