NI Education Minister congratulates Class of 2020

The NI Minister for Education Michelle McIlveen pictured with our overall winners from Class of 2020, Omagh Academy

Omagh Academy is taking the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup home to Co. Tyrone for their winning project on ‘Exploring the potential of a low carbon Angus beef brand.’ Joshua Keys, Tori Robson, James Fleming, Jill Liggett and Allister Crawford have been taking part in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalist programme since 2020 along with four other teams from Ballymena Academy; Castle Tower School, Ballymena; Cross & Passion Ballycastle and Magherafelt High School. The Omagh Academy team impressed the judges with their understanding of the challenges to the climate posed by emissions, and their ability to convey in a practical and positive way, the steps farmers can take to mitigate the impact of livestock production to produce sustainable beef for consumers.

Ballymena Academy were Runners-up. Their research assignment explored ‘future-proofing beef farming through technology’. Meanwhile Castle Tower’s team and their teacher received a Highly Commended award for how they brought their passion for farming to life. Two pupils were also singled out for individual awards. Ruth Sheppard from Magherafelt High School won the award for Outstanding Achievement by an Individual and Jessica Livingstone from Ballymena Academy was given a Judges’ Special Merit award.

The Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen MLA attended the event as Guest of Honour. Congratulating the award winners and all the finalists for completing the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, she said,

“The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is a wonderful example of school / employer engagement and activity. It demonstrates a shared interest in, and shared responsibility for, the future of the young people involved. Through collaboration there is a mutual benefit for both the young people and for employers who share their expertise with the future workforce. I have no doubt that the ABP Angus Youth Challenge has and will continue to enhance the learning experiences and employability skills of the young people involved.”

Class of 2020 Runners-up: Ballymena Academy whose project was Future-proofing beef farming through technology.

The teacher, pupils and their classroom assistant from Castle Tower School won a Highly Commended Trophy for their unique interpretation of their assignment and how they brought it to life.

We're open for new entries from 14-15 yr olds

If you are a 14-15 year old in Yr 11 living in Northern Ireland then this is your chance to take part in the new version of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge. The format has been updated for ease of supervision by teachers and ease of participation alongside GCSE studies. The competition still offers the chance to win great prizes – including a mini-herd of Angus cross calves to rear worth c.£3,500 and a three-day study tour with ABP. But it will complete within a shorter timeframe and events will take place outside term-time.

“In view of the disruption that schools have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked with educators to streamline the competition. It is aligned more closely to learning outcomes of a range of GCSE subjects to support attainment. It continues to offer teenagers a unique work experience of beef production from farm to fork and complements their studies in a ‘learning-by-doing’ way,”

explained Charles Smith of the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group who co-ordinates the competition on behalf of ABP.

Our main events, such as the exhibition and training will take place during mid-term breaks.”

The teams that reach the final stage of the Challenge will be assigned a Mentor from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise to support their work on research assignments.

“It is our hope that the complimentary study tour with ABP and the professional media training in communication and presentation skills can take place face-to-face in 2022. An overall winning team will win £1,000 for their club or school. The programme will complete within one year leaving the winners free to concentrate on their Year 12 examinations.”

Entry to the ABP Angus Youth Challenge is by way of a short video submission followed by an online interview. A selection of entrants will be invited to take part in an exhibition- style event during the 2021 Halloween break. An independent panel will judge the teams and their displays to determine which go through to the finalist programme and win the prizes.

Commenting on ABP’s commitment to this initiative, the Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said,

“The ABP Angus Youth Challenge connects with young people at an important stage of their education. We want to inspire them to work in our sector. We have seen how young people benefit from this experience and we invite more to access the opportunity it presents.”

 Castle Tower School Ballymena; Cross and Passion College Ballycastle; Ballymena Academy; Magherafelt High School and Omagh Academy will complete the finalist programme at the end of this year. Meanwhile Dalriada School Ballymoney; Cookstown High School; Friends’ School Lisburn and St Kevin’s College Lisnaskea started the finalist programme in June 2021.

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is open to teams of 2-4 individuals from schools, clubs, societies or a group of friends. Entrants do not have to live on a farm or be part of a farming family to take part. ABP will assist finalists in the provision of a suitable farm.

Closing date for receipt of entries is noon, 4th October 2021.

 For competition queries contact Gillian Allen at ABP gillian.allen@abpbeef.com or the Northern Ireland Angus Producer Group at info@angusproducergroup.com

The class of 2019 who completed the ABP Angus Youth Challenge earlier this year.