Bord Bia has reported a surge in interest in its post-graduate masters’ programmes with a 20% increase in applications last year.

Over 2,700 applications were received for almost 80 places across the five programmes in the Bord Bia Talent Academy. Each participant receives a fully funded masters, guaranteed work experience in Ireland or abroad, plus a tax-free monthly bursary.

Twenty places are currently available across the Origin Green Ambassador and Supply Chain and Account Management programmes. Each offers a fully funded masters at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a tax-free bursary (€28,000 - €30,000) plus guaranteed work experience with some of the world’s leading global brands.

The full-time programmes (18 months and 23 months in duration) offer a combination of real-world and academic learning, blending block release modules and continuous project work. Bord Bia says candidates should have a minimum of three years’ work experience, though not necessarily within the food industry itself. The closing date for both programmes is 14 May 2021.

Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy commented: “The Talent Academy was established to help identify and develop executive talent for Ireland’s thriving food and drink sector. Its programmes address the challenges and opportunities facing the industry including sustainability, supply chain efficiency, research and innovation – areas which particularly resonate with younger people.

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“The strength of our offering is a huge appeal. 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,” McCarthy added.

Photo: Tara McCarthy (centre) with Peter Robbins of DCU Business School and Helen Brophy, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. (Pic: Marc O’Sullivan)