The Dawn Meats management development programme has returned for its sixth edition this year.

The 10-month programme is run in association with UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science, and is open to employees of Dawn Meats and its Dunbia subsidiary.

The initiative has been running since 2015 with a three-year break due to Covid, and so far more than 120 managers have completed the course, with 34 taking part this year.

The programme is designed to support both personal and professional growth through a combination of management, leadership, and sustainability modules.

It includes elements of part-time study, project work, one-to-one coaching sessions and teamwork. 

As part of the programme, managers will be tasked with delivering a bespoke project which tackles current opportunities and is sponsored by relevant members of the Dawn Meats senior leadership team.

"Developing strong leadership is essential for the future of the agri-food industry, and this programme provides participants with the skills and knowledge to take on that challenge," said Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats.

"By combining academic expertise with real-world business insights, we are equipping Dawn Meats and Dunbia's future leaders with the tools needed to drive innovation and sustainability in our company and in our sector.  

"We are proud to continue our partnership with UCD on this important initiative."

Prof. Frank Monahan, Dean of Agriculture at UCD and Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Science, added: “This programme aims to help future leaders in the agri-food sector develop the skills needed to navigate a complex and evolving industry.

"Through a combination of academic learning, coaching and real-world project work, students gain the confidence and ability to tackle challenges and drive innovation.

"We are delighted to deliver this programme in partnership with Dawn Meats and Dunbia.”

Photo: Dawn Meats UCD Class of 2025. (Pic: Supplied)