2022-2023 ABP ANGUS YOUTH NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

ABP and the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group are offering pupils in Year 11/14-15 year olds the chance to take part the 2022-2023 ABP Angus Youth Challenge. The competition provides the chance to win a range of valuable prizes. These include a mini-herd of Angus cross calves to rear worth c.£3,500 and a three-day study tour with ABP which this year featured a farm to fork work inspiration experience with ABP in Belgium.

The skills based competition is aligned to learning outcomes in a range of GCSE subjects to support attainment and gives teenagers who reach the final stage direct experience and skills in beef production.  The teams that get through to the year-long finalist programme are assigned a Mentor from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise to support their work on research assignments while they rear their calves. They are also given from professional training in communication, presentation and interview skills to prepare them for job interviews and the world of work.

Entry to the ABP Angus Youth Challenge is by way of a short video submission by 26th September 2022.  A selection of entrants will then be invited to take part in an exhibition event during Halloween which will be held at the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park. An independent panel will judge the teams’ performance at the exhibition to determine who goes through to the finalist programme and wins the prizes. An overall winning team will also win £1,000 for their club or school at the end of the final stage.

Commenting on ABP’s commitment to developing young people, the Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said, “ABP wishes to connect with motivated young people at an important stage of their education. We want to inspire them to work in our sector. This competition offers a range of opportunities not just for pupils interested in agriculture or who come from a farming family but for those that want to stand out from their peers and learn new skills in a practical and fun way with their team-mates and other teenagers.

Meanwhile teams from Banbridge Academy; Dalriada School Ballymoney; Cookstown High School; Friends’ School Lisburn; St Kevin’s College Lisnaskea; St Catherine’s Armagh, Newtownhamilton High School are due to complete their finalist programme in October when the award winners will be announced.

Entering and taking part in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge can now be used as part of the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh/Joint Award.

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.

THUMBS UP FOR 2022 INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR

26 of our current finalists and their teachers from six Northern Irish schools have recently returned from a fantastic three-day study trip. The tour was part of their skills development experience for reaching the final stage in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge. The tour commenced at ABP Newry and then moved on to Lismullin cookery school in Navan. The teenagers learnt about the skills involved in butchery from Kettyle Irish Foods and got to cook their own perfect Angus steak. Briefings were provided by ABP and Certified Irish Angus about the international market for Northern Irish Angus Beef before flying to Belgium.  

In Belgium the pupils were hosted at the Irish College Leuven. They presented to Flanders Farmers Union about the projects they are working on as ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalists and visited an Angus beef farm. On the final day the pupils headed to Brussels to meet the NI Executive Office and Invest NI. Employees from ABP Belgium gave an insight into the roles involved in the European arm of ABP’s business. Educational visits to the famous Great War memorials and museums in West Flanders were also part of their action-packed schedule.  

ABP’s Head of Supply Chain Development, Liam McCarthy, who accompanied the group along with other employees from ABP and Certified Irish Angus. He said,

“The ABP Angus Youth Challenge helps teenagers learn, develop and gain the skills necessary to transition in to our sector. The study tour is one of many benefits that can be gained from taking part in the competition.”  

Charles Smith of the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group added,

“Young people’s education has been greatly disrupted by the pandemic. So we wanted to make this year’s trip all the more memorable for them and their teachers.”

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge will open again for new entries in September. 14-15 year old going into Year 11.