Recent years have seen the ABP Angus Youth Challenge progress to become one of the most popular schools’ competitions held in Northern Ireland.
Uniquely, it provides an opportunity for teachers with a range of specialisms within the schools taking part to get actively involved.
Head of ABP’s Supply Chain Development, Liam McCarthy said:
“The Youth Challenge works at so many levels. Yes, has a strong focus on the role of food production and agri-business.
“But its format also opens up great opportunities for the participating teams of students to further develop their communication skills in a more than meaningful way.
“This encompasses both their writing and presentation-related abilities. So, the cross over between agricultural and life science with English and other aspects of the curriculum is extremely exciting.”
According to the ABP representative, it is the team format of the competition that makes the ABP Angus Youth Challenge different.
Adding to this, is the collaborative nature of the work involved.
“All the team members must work together. This requirement delivers a massive opportunity for personal development.
“Linked to this, is the need for each team member to hone their presentation skills.
“Courtesy of their journey through the competition process, the successful teams must discuss their ideas in an open forum on a number of occasions.
“This, in itself, is a fantastic learning process,” McCarthy continued.
Getting involved in the ABP Youth Challenge requires students coming together in groups of three or four. It‘s then a case of individuals working together for a common goal.
“So, from the get-go, those involved will realise that co-operation of this type can deliver outcomes that each of them as individuals could never achieve. Making this happen requires everyone pulling in the same direction at the same time,” McCarthy added.
This is a feat that many adults find hard to achieve. So, the fact that young teenagers can make this leap of faith is full testimony to their talents and capabilities.
“Another key facet of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, has been its success in encouraging young students to think outside the box where matters of farming and food nature are concerned.
“This theme has been wholly endorsed courtesy of the submissions made up to this point by the final four groupings.
“Issues teased out by the students reflect the many challenges and opportunities that currently interface with our farming, food and rural way of life,” he explained.
