The hugely successful Pig Industry Scholarship is looking to recruit new sponsors for its fifth year.
The scheme, which works with students at Harper Adams University and is facilitated by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), was set up to bring new talent into the pig industry.
Pig producers and allied industry companies are now being invited to join and offer a year-long paid placement for a second year BSc or first year FdSc student.
It helps raise the profile of careers in the pig industry and encourages new entrants while enabling individual businesses to cherry-pick high-calibre new employees. Previous sponsors have covered a diverse range of areas including nutrition, animal health, on farm production and agri-food and marketing.
AHDB Skills Development Officer Samantha Bowsher said: “The future of the pig industry relies on the recruitment of highly qualified and committed young entrants, which is why the Pig Industry Scholarship is so important, as it helps attract and retain talented individuals to the pig sector.
“We are now looking for new sponsors as we enter the fifth year. It is always incredibly positive to see companies continue to support us and we look forward to welcoming new sponsors to our 2017 programme.”
The Pig Industry Scholarship has secured more than 20 scholars since its inception, who are now all making a big difference to the industry through their placements. In many cases, the scheme offers scholars a natural progression into their chosen career path – with 50% of 2014 scholars joining their sponsors after graduation.
Scholars will work for 12 months and in addition receive a scholarship of £4,500 – representing a significant contribution towards tuition fees. There is also the potential for sponsors to offer funding in the final academic year.
Companies need to register their interest as sponsors by August 1 and should contact Samantha on 07976 980753 or email samantha.bowsher@ahdb.org.uk.
