Since 2018, the Meat Industry Association (MIA) has awarded undergraduate ($5,000 per year) and postgraduate ($10,000 per year) scholarships to students considering careers in the red meat processing and exporting sector.
The 2021 scholars range from first year university students to those undertaking PhD research.
Fields of study include food process engineering, agribusiness management and marketing.
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of MIA, says the scholarship is designed to increase the awareness of the red meat processing industry to tertiary students and to make tertiary students aware of the broad career opportunities for graduates.
Karapeeva says the scholars were chosen because of a number of factors.
“As well as their academic achievements, the passion and enthusiasm they have shown to the meat industry through work experience or projects that they have worked on,” she told Rural News.
She says the wide range of subjects studied by the 2021 scholars demonstrate the opportunities on offer in the red meat sector.
“There are a wide range of positions available including technical, engineering, production and marketing,” she says.
“Attracting skilled people and supporting their development is important to us. It’s vital to our continuing success and prosperity.”
Scholars will also have the opportunity to do part time or vacation work and several are already working in the sector.
“The job market is very positive and over half of the graduates that have completed their studies have joined the meat industry.”
More than 50 people applied for the 2021 scholarship programme.
“This shows the level of interest and excitement in the industry,” Karapeeva says.
The MIA runs a mentorship programme for its scholars, including a networking and educational event in Wellington, with presentations from people from across the industry.
The Scholars
- Dominic Morrison from Queenstown, Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and Bachelor of Laws at University of Otago.
- Jack Coakley from Christchurch, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) at University of Otago.
- Joe Ward from Havelock North, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Strategy and Marketing & Entrepreneurship) at University of Canterbury.
- Joelle Gatenby from Dunedin, Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing at Lincoln University.
- Megan Ross from Whangarei, Bachelor of Food Technology, Hons, (Food Process Engineering) at Massey University.
- Nelson Harper from Palmerston North, Bachelor of Engineering, Hons, (Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering) at Massey University.
- Tully Paterson from Invercargill, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Anthropology) at University of Auckland.
- Haley La Franco from Hawke’s Bay, Master of Food Safety and Quality at Massey University.
- Grace MacDonald from Christchurch, Master of Management in Agribusiness at Lincoln University.
- Todd Fortune from Dunedin, Master of Design Enterprise at Otago Polytechnic.
- Hennie Pienaar from Invercargill, PhD through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
