CAFRE Food Students secure scholarships from leading food businesses
January 9, 2026
The CAFRE Industry Support Programme provides students with the opportunity to apply for a scholarship that includes completing a one-year paid placement with a leading sponsor food business as well as getting a £2,500 cash payment to assist with their second-year study costs. Aimee McConville, Hannah McClelland and Sarah Hetherington were all successful in securing a scholarship and are now applying their learning to real-world agri-food industry roles.
Loughry Campus students complete paid placements in a diverse range of roles in the agri-food industry. At the halfway point of their placement year, Aimee, Hannah and Sarah, who are all BSc (Hons) Degree Food students share insights into their experiences to date.
Aimee McConville – Dunbia
Aimee McConville, from Dungannon, was awarded a scholarship by Dunbia, a major red meat processor supplying beef, pork, and lamb products to a wide range of customers. During her placement within the company’s Food Safety and Quality Department, Aimee has rotated through several technical functions.
“I’ve really enjoyed my placement, and have been bringing my studies to life through routine quality testing of products” Aimee says.
Aimee has also supported audits and technical customer visits, giving her valuable insight into compliance and quality processes. Through group projects and presentations, she has strengthened her confidence, leadership, and critical‑thinking skills.
“Completing a placement year was the right decision for me,” she reflects. “By the end of my placement, I believe I will have gained new skills and experience essential for my future career development. Staff at CAFRE’s Loughry campus really encouraged us to apply for the Scholarship. It’s an amazing opportunity to make industry connections and receive financial support.”
Hannah McClelland – Lakeland Dairies
After completing a Level 3 in Food and Nutrition at Loughry Campus, Hannah McClelland from Coleraine, progressed to the Honours Degree programme and secured a Scholarship with Lakeland Dairies. Her work placement is offering her the opportunity to work in the Quality Department at the Ballyrashane site in Coleraine, which produces butter, cream, and milk.
“Working as part of the quality team, I conduct monthly internal audits, which has been a great way to understand the production process from raw material to finished product,” Hannah explains. “I’ve enjoyed problem-solving, conducting product traceability exercises, and learning more about the industry every day.”
Hannah’s placement has also enabled her to achieve Level 3 Auditing and HACCP awards. She is currently working on a lab-based project, further expanding her technical knowledge. Reflecting on her experience, Hannah says: “Placement has been incredibly valuable for me. It’s given me practical experience that I can apply in my final year studies and the experiences are invaluable for discussion in future jobs interviews. It’s also reaffirmed that the agri-food industry is full of wonderful career opportunities.”
Sarah Hetherington – ABP Linden
Sarah Hetherington, a former Omagh High School pupil, was delighted to receive placement with red meat processor ABP Linden. “Winning the Scholarship was a great opportunity to further my knowledge of the food industry before my final year of degree study at Loughry Campus,” Sarah says.
Sarah’s role as a Technical Placement Student focuses on managing taste panels to ensure product quality and shelf-life. Her daily tasks include checking products against specifications, conducting end-of-life evaluations, gristle testing, and supporting product trials. “The best part of my placement is the sheer diversity of the work. Every day offers something different, and each one brings fresh learning and new challenges.” Sarah explains, “My work placement also gives me the chance to experience different departments and really understand how the business works. It’s been a hugely valuable opportunity to build my technical knowledge.”
CAFRE’s teaching at Loughry campus ensures students are well prepared for industry roles. Students apply their academic knowledge, from HACCP principles to laboratory techniques and sensory evaluation methods. Modules covering Food Microbiology, Food Chemistry, and Packaging Technology give students the foundation to excel in their placements. Scholarships provide welcomed financial support to students during their second year, followed by exposure to the industry sponsor during year three, turning theory into practice.
Commenting on the Food Scholarship programme, Dr Gillian Stevenson, Senior Lecturer, said: “Students returning from their Scholarship placements enrich classroom discussions, practical sessions, and assessments. They enter their final year studies with increased motivation, maturity, and a deeper grasp of technical concepts after applying them in an agri-food industry environment. Alongside valuable industry insights, they develop key interpersonal competencies such as communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, and leadership, qualities that are difficult to fully nurture in the classroom. Many students are noticeably more confident, capable, and independent, which enhances classroom dynamics and overall academic performance.”
If you or someone you know thrives in a team environment, seeks a non-desk-bound career, enjoys practical problem-solving, values travel opportunities, and desires a challenging, yet rewarding career with promising job prospects, consider studying at Loughry Campus.
With a growing need for skilled and qualified professionals to drive innovation and promote sustainability we’ve has reformulated it’s full-time food degree offerings. These now include a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation Management with pathways in Technology and Nutrition, and a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sustainable Agri-Food Management. Part-time work-based Apprenticeship opportunities are also available.