03 March 2010

My name is Orla McEvoy and I am a final year student on the BSc (Hons) in Food Supply Management degree course at Loughry Campus. I am also President of Loughry’s Student Representative Council. Recently I was lucky enough to be selected by Loughry and sponsored by the O’Kane Poultry Group to attend the Frontrunner Leadership Programme organised by Common Purpose. This four day residential course is designed for pre-career students to gain experience of leadership through a hands-on practical training course. This comprised of a jam packed programme of visits and presentations from leaders across a range of sectors and organisations. During the course I was exposed to real life leadership dilemmas and met leaders who hold the day to day responsibility in high profile organisations and businesses. These included a top BBC journalist, a District Inspector from the Serious Crimes Unit, a representative from Amnesty International, local politicians and members of the GAA and IFA. These people had a vast knowledge and experience of leadership and associated issues and were very open to sharing their life and businesses experiences with us.

I have gained so much from participating in this programme and would like to thank the O’Kane Poultry Group for their sponsorship and Common Purpose for organising such a superb training programme. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn from the leaders and also from other students over the four days. The training will assist with the development of my own leadership skills and in my career in the food sector when I leave Loughry and enter full time employment. I would encourage other students to grasp opportunities such as this which prepares people not only for their careers but also in their social responsibilities.

Loughry student Orla McEvoy, being congratulated by Ian Titterington Head of Loughry Campus and Norma Donaldson O’Kane Poultry Group.