The Bord Bia Talent Academy offers five unique programmes, but right now all eyes are on the 2021 international graduate programme, as the closing date for applications approaches on 29 January.

Having recently reported a surge in interest in its post-graduate masters’ programmes, Bord Bia saw a 20% increase in applications for last year’s programmes.

Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy, with Peter Robbins of DCU Business School and Helen Brophy of UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Over 2,700 applications were received for almost 80 places in the Bord Bia Talent Academy.

If you are interested in a fully funded masters at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a tax-free bursary (€25,000 to €30,000) and a guaranteed work placement, the 2021 international graduate programme is worth considering.

Developing future executive talent

The Bord Bia Talent Academy works to identify and develop future executive talent for Ireland’s food and drink sector, with an emphasis on market diversification, as the food and drink industry seeks to identify and nurture new markets in response to Brexit.

Run over 23 months, the international graduate programme is in partnership with UCD Smurfit School.

It combines on-the-job commercial and marketing work experience with academic study.

Participants gain a masters in global business practice, plus valuable work experience.

The programme is open to new graduates with limited or no experience, as Bord Bia welcomes and encourages applicants with wide and diverse backgrounds to their programmes.

Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy.

Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy says the offerings are proving especially popular among young people, whose common concerns they get to address and challenge through practical work and study experiences.

“The Talent Academy programmes address the challenges and opportunities facing the food and drinks industry, including sustainability, supply chain efficiency, research and innovation – areas that are critical for Ireland generally, and which particularly resonate with younger people,” she says.

Ms McCarthy goes on to address the rare opportunity for travel that so many of us miss in the current climate.

“The strength of our offering is a huge appeal," she says.

"Combined with the potential for international travel, it undoubtedly heightened interest last year when COVID-19 restrictions interrupted the plans of so many new graduates, as well as those with a few years’ work experience who were looking to make the next move in their career.”

International locations

Successful applicants will be placed into one of Bord Bia’s 15 international locations or with food and drink industry companies both domestically and internationally.

Applications for the international graduate programme can be made on the Bord Bia Talent Academy website until 29 January, with programmes set to commence in mid-summer 2021.

Information on other programmes, as well as the application details and deadlines, can be found online on the Bord Bia Talent Academy website.

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