Two students linked to CAFRE Loughry Campus have reported gains in food industry skills through a packaging course and a work placement.

Niamh McVeigh, New Product Introduction Lead at Kinisla in Portadown, was among those recognised at the CAFRE Further Education Food Awards Ceremony. She completed the PIABC Level 2 Award in Packaging at CAFRE's Food Technology Centre. The course covered packaging materials, design, sustainability and the role of packaging in the food supply chain. She said the knowledge would help her make informed packaging decisions in her role.

Peter Simpson, Head of Food Technology at CAFRE Loughry Campus, said the college supports learners in developing knowledge and careers. He noted that the Level 2 award provides a foundation in packaging, and a new Level 3 Certificate in Packaging is available for those wishing to enhance skills further. Applications for the Level 3 certificate are open.

Kathryn McMullan from Bushmills, a former Coleraine Grammar School pupil, is a third-year student on the BSc (Hons) Food Innovation & Nutrition programme at CAFRE Loughry Campus. She completed her placement year as a Technical Consultant with Finegan Food Consultancy. Her duties included developing quality management systems, conducting internal audits, supporting external audits, traceability exercises, managing product recalls and reviewing HACCP plans.

McMullan worked with food businesses across storage, distribution, bakery, dairy, packaging, printing and meat processing. She helped a storage and distribution company achieve a BRCGS AA grade after creating its quality management system. She said prior microbiological analysis skills from her CAFRE studies were useful in investigating results.

The Northern Ireland food and drink industry generates about £7.3 billion in economic value and supports almost 109,000 jobs, according to the college. CAFRE is accepting applications for food degree programmes beginning in September 2026.