The application process for next year’s graduate programmes is just around the corner. This year has seen a slight delay on information coming out on the application process for graduate programme as most companies are still working through their graduate recruitment plans for 2021, but they are a popular option and post-COVID-19 will certainly be popular options for students. So what have these graduate programmes to offer or is it a route that might suit you? Irish Country Living speaks to David Dunne, who completed the agribusiness graduate programme with Glanbia, and Ivan Vallence, who went through the Dairygold graduate programme.
Glanbia agribusiness graduate programme
Current role: ruminant business manager.Glanbia
I started working with Glanbia in September 2017 on their agri business graduate programme. 
This is a two-year programme where you get the opportunity to learn and see how the business works. Approximately 50 others started the graduate programme the same time as me in all different sectors ranging from HR, finance, engineering, food science, marketing, IT and agri business.
Variety
On the agribusiness graduate programme we got to experience all the different areas and sectors of the agribusiness division. This immediately gave me a great insight into the range of jobs that were available within a company such as Glanbia.
The opportunity for rotation within Glanbia agribusiness allowed me to gain experience in areas that I would be most interested and passionate working in.
Experience
I spent time working in branch stores, building up a network in the company and becoming familiar with the products and services that we were offering. My time in the branch also allowed me to build a relationship with local farmers.
My next stop was the feedmill in Portlaoise where I got to see the production of our animal feeds and understand what’s involved in getting them to market
This gave me an in-depth knowledge into animal nutrition and the vast range of products we produce. Here, I spent time with the production team, in the labs and logistics department.
Training
From day one of the graduate programme there were opportunities for self-development, upskilling and training.
This to me was one of the most beneficial aspects of the programme. From training on giving presentations to dealing with conflict or even organisation skills, we were provided with the opportunities to better ourselves. We also learned how to deal with challenges that are faced in the workplace on a regular basis.
Within the agribusiness category we are constantly upskilled on topics such as animal nutrition, grassland management and fertiliser planning for example. This training allows us to be fully up to date and knowledgeable on best practices when dealing with customers.
Opportunities
In May of 2018 a position became available within the ruminant business manager team. I applied for the position and was successful. I took on the role and completed the graduate programme alongside it.
I had the confidence and knowledge to take on the role through the experience and training I had received. The exposure the graduate programme gave me to the business really set me up for my current role in the company.
Dairygold Graduate
Programme
Current role: Dairy sales and advisory teamDairygold
In 2014 I graduated from ag science in UCD and decided I would like to do the three-year graduate programme with Dairygold. 
I chose the graduate programme route as it was a great opportunity to get into a big company such as Dairygold and I knew I would gain loads of experience and knowledge in the role.
Contacts and networking within the company
Throughout the programme I got to meet so many people in the company and built up relationships that have helped me along the way in my career.
This is something that can be overlooked. In my case, I had built relationships with everyone from mill managers to accountants and nutritionists throughout my time on the graduate programme so when I took up my role as part of the dairy sales and advisory team, there was no shortage of support around me.
Learning the business from the ground up
I found the graduate programme really gave a great understanding of how the business works from the ground up and seeing the whole process involved in the mills, the sales and advisory sides of the business. It was a rotational programme so I got to see a lot of areas in the business, from being out on the road with the sales reps and advisory team to working in the mills with the mill managers and nutritionist.
Technical support
The programme gave great technical support and helped me develop my skills within the business. The knowledge I gained from working alongside people in the company and seeing each of them working in their area of expertise has stood to me in my role in the company ever since.
Take two: graduate
programmes to think about
ESB
When applications open: 24 September 2020.Application deadline: 2 November 2020.Number of places: Over 55.Types of work: engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical and quantity surveying), finance, HR, commercial, marketing and IT.Location: nationwide (Ireland).Upskilling available: continuous professional development.Programme length: three years.Salary: competitive salary and benefits package.How to apply: Online application at www.esb.ie/careers/graduates (see over).Ornua
When applications open: 14 September 2020.Application deadline: 23 October 2020.Number of places: 13 Types of work: IT, sales, marketing, supply chain, finance, engineering. Location: Dublin, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, the US (Chicago).Upskilling available: the 18-month Ornua Graduate Programme consists of a comprehensive induction program, structured rotations, and classroom-based and self-directed learning modules covering areas such as self-awareness, teamwork, leadership and communications and mentoring from experienced leaders. Programme length: 18 months.Salary: competitive salary.How to apply: visit
ornua.com/earlycareers Read more
A career in forestry: opportunity, travel but bureacracy
Seeing the genetic potential of graduates
The application process for next year’s graduate programmes is just around the corner. This year has seen a slight delay on information coming out on the application process for graduate programme as most companies are still working through their graduate recruitment plans for 2021, but they are a popular option and post-COVID-19 will certainly be popular options for students. So what have these graduate programmes to offer or is it a route that might suit you? Irish Country Living speaks to David Dunne, who completed the agribusiness graduate programme with Glanbia, and Ivan Vallence, who went through the Dairygold graduate programme.
Glanbia agribusiness graduate programme
Current role: ruminant business manager.Glanbia
I started working with Glanbia in September 2017 on their agri business graduate programme.
This is a two-year programme where you get the opportunity to learn and see how the business works. Approximately 50 others started the graduate programme the same time as me in all different sectors ranging from HR, finance, engineering, food science, marketing, IT and agri business.
Variety
On the agribusiness graduate programme we got to experience all the different areas and sectors of the agribusiness division. This immediately gave me a great insight into the range of jobs that were available within a company such as Glanbia.
The opportunity for rotation within Glanbia agribusiness allowed me to gain experience in areas that I would be most interested and passionate working in.
Experience
I spent time working in branch stores, building up a network in the company and becoming familiar with the products and services that we were offering. My time in the branch also allowed me to build a relationship with local farmers.
My next stop was the feedmill in Portlaoise where I got to see the production of our animal feeds and understand what’s involved in getting them to market
This gave me an in-depth knowledge into animal nutrition and the vast range of products we produce. Here, I spent time with the production team, in the labs and logistics department.
Training
From day one of the graduate programme there were opportunities for self-development, upskilling and training.
This to me was one of the most beneficial aspects of the programme. From training on giving presentations to dealing with conflict or even organisation skills, we were provided with the opportunities to better ourselves. We also learned how to deal with challenges that are faced in the workplace on a regular basis.
Within the agribusiness category we are constantly upskilled on topics such as animal nutrition, grassland management and fertiliser planning for example. This training allows us to be fully up to date and knowledgeable on best practices when dealing with customers.
Opportunities
In May of 2018 a position became available within the ruminant business manager team. I applied for the position and was successful. I took on the role and completed the graduate programme alongside it.
I had the confidence and knowledge to take on the role through the experience and training I had received. The exposure the graduate programme gave me to the business really set me up for my current role in the company.
Dairygold Graduate
Programme
Current role: Dairy sales and advisory teamDairygold
In 2014 I graduated from ag science in UCD and decided I would like to do the three-year graduate programme with Dairygold.
I chose the graduate programme route as it was a great opportunity to get into a big company such as Dairygold and I knew I would gain loads of experience and knowledge in the role.
Contacts and networking within the company
Throughout the programme I got to meet so many people in the company and built up relationships that have helped me along the way in my career.
This is something that can be overlooked. In my case, I had built relationships with everyone from mill managers to accountants and nutritionists throughout my time on the graduate programme so when I took up my role as part of the dairy sales and advisory team, there was no shortage of support around me.
Learning the business from the ground up
I found the graduate programme really gave a great understanding of how the business works from the ground up and seeing the whole process involved in the mills, the sales and advisory sides of the business. It was a rotational programme so I got to see a lot of areas in the business, from being out on the road with the sales reps and advisory team to working in the mills with the mill managers and nutritionist.
Technical support
The programme gave great technical support and helped me develop my skills within the business. The knowledge I gained from working alongside people in the company and seeing each of them working in their area of expertise has stood to me in my role in the company ever since.
Take two: graduate
programmes to think about
ESB
When applications open: 24 September 2020.Application deadline: 2 November 2020.Number of places: Over 55.Types of work: engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical and quantity surveying), finance, HR, commercial, marketing and IT.Location: nationwide (Ireland).Upskilling available: continuous professional development.Programme length: three years.Salary: competitive salary and benefits package.How to apply: Online application at www.esb.ie/careers/graduates (see over).Ornua
When applications open: 14 September 2020.Application deadline: 23 October 2020.Number of places: 13 Types of work: IT, sales, marketing, supply chain, finance, engineering. Location: Dublin, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, the US (Chicago).Upskilling available: the 18-month Ornua Graduate Programme consists of a comprehensive induction program, structured rotations, and classroom-based and self-directed learning modules covering areas such as self-awareness, teamwork, leadership and communications and mentoring from experienced leaders. Programme length: 18 months.Salary: competitive salary.How to apply: visit
ornua.com/earlycareers Read more
A career in forestry: opportunity, travel but bureacracy
Seeing the genetic potential of graduates
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: