ABP Angus Youth 2020 finalists are announced

The agri-food business, ABP, is taking five teams forward to the final stage of its skills development programme for teenagers, the ABP Angus Youth Challenge.
Representing Omagh Academy in the 2020-2021 ABP Angus Youth Challenge Final are Jill Liggett, Joshua Keys, Alister Crawford,  Tori Robson and James Fleming. They are pictured with William Delany, Northern Irish Angus Producer Group and Liam McCarthy of ABPRepresenting Omagh Academy in the 2020-2021 ABP Angus Youth Challenge Final are Jill Liggett, Joshua Keys, Alister Crawford,  Tori Robson and James Fleming. They are pictured with William Delany, Northern Irish Angus Producer Group and Liam McCarthy of ABP
Representing Omagh Academy in the 2020-2021 ABP Angus Youth Challenge Final are Jill Liggett, Joshua Keys, Alister Crawford, Tori Robson and James Fleming. They are pictured with William Delany, Northern Irish Angus Producer Group and Liam McCarthy of ABP

The teams are from Ballymena Academy; Castle Tower School; Cross and Passion College Ballycastle; Magherafelt High School and Omagh Academy.

As part of the finalist programme, each team has been presented with a ‘mini-herd’ of five Angus cross calves compliments of ABP.

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Over the next 18 months, they will have to rear these calves through to finishing and then sell them to ABP.

Proceeds from their sale will be rewarded back to each team.

All finalists will also benefit from a learning and development programme.

This will entail working on forward-looking research assignments that challenge them to explore innovative techniques and proposals for the future benefit of sustainable beef production in Northern Ireland.

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To help overcome some of the difficulties presented by Covid-19 restrictions, ABP has adapted the first stage of the finalist programme to online learning. This starts with an induction to the ABP Food Group business and its Angus Blade farming protocols.

Cross & Passion College Ballycastle are also through to the final stage. Pictured is the team representing the school, Conor John McGarry, DJ McAlister and Aidan Hamilton with back row from left: School principal Paul McClean with teachers Sharon Walker and Martina DevlinCross & Passion College Ballycastle are also through to the final stage. Pictured is the team representing the school, Conor John McGarry, DJ McAlister and Aidan Hamilton with back row from left: School principal Paul McClean with teachers Sharon Walker and Martina Devlin
Cross & Passion College Ballycastle are also through to the final stage. Pictured is the team representing the school, Conor John McGarry, DJ McAlister and Aidan Hamilton with back row from left: School principal Paul McClean with teachers Sharon Walker and Martina Devlin

The finalists will also be given interview and presentation skills training for the world of work as well as insights into the strategic use of digital media to help promote the goals of their projects.

Congratulating the finalists, on behalf of ABP and the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group, managing director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said: “We are delighted to welcome five new teams on to the ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalist programme.

“This has been a particularly difficult year for the education and wellbeing of young people.

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“We hope our new finalists benefit from taking part as much as those who have come before them.”

Pictured from Magherafelt High School is teacher Mr Richard Palmer and acting principal, Stephen Fleming with their ABP Angus Youth Challenge Finalist team, Grace Wilson, Ruth Sheppard, Mark Jones, Brian Hutchinson and Justin ClarkePictured from Magherafelt High School is teacher Mr Richard Palmer and acting principal, Stephen Fleming with their ABP Angus Youth Challenge Finalist team, Grace Wilson, Ruth Sheppard, Mark Jones, Brian Hutchinson and Justin Clarke
Pictured from Magherafelt High School is teacher Mr Richard Palmer and acting principal, Stephen Fleming with their ABP Angus Youth Challenge Finalist team, Grace Wilson, Ruth Sheppard, Mark Jones, Brian Hutchinson and Justin Clarke

The teams’ performance across all aspects of the final stage will be continually assessed to determine an overall winning group who will be the recipient of the £1,000 cash prize for their school.

There will also be awards for runner-up and outstanding individual achievement.

The competition is currently open for new entries from schools, clubs and societies to take part.