CMETB partner with Lakeland Dairies and Monaghan Mushrooms to promote a career in science

Discover a promising career in Science

Your Future is our Focus – Do you find it difficult to make career choices as it is a decision that can affect the rest of your life? Are you waiting for CAO offers? If you are thinking about a career in Science, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) in partnership with Lakeland Dairies and Monaghan Mushrooms are offering a Laboratories Assistant Traineeship in Monaghan Institute – starting in September 2022.

The area of science and research is a growing industry in Ireland. According to a SOLAS publication ‘Shifting Sands’ this sector is one of the top growing industries in Ireland. From 2019 to 2021 its occupational market share has increased by 34%, therefore this career would be a good bet for job seekers. A Recruitment Agency Survey conducted in October 2021, revealed that the area of science and research is also one of the vacancies more difficult to fill. CMETB are excited to partner with Lakeland Dairies and Monaghan Mushrooms to deliver the Laboratory Assistant Traineeship, in Monaghan Institute, to help address this skill shortage issue.

CMETB Recruitment Officer, Michelle Tilson explained “This Traineeship is a fully funded programme with no course fees. There are additional financial supports of Training, Meal and Travel allowances and access to the National Childcare Scheme. You do not need to be in receipt of a social welfare payment to be eligible for the course, applications are welcome from those in existing employment who are seeking to upskill or reskill into a different industry. School leavers with no work experience behind them can also apply.”

CMETB have successfully delivered this Traineeship in partnership with Monaghan Mushrooms for the last 4 years offering work based learning in Monaghan Mushrooms, paired with QQI Level 5 qualification in Laboratory Techniques delivered through Monaghan Institute. This provided a fully rounded educational support for trainees.

Over the last forty years Monaghan Mushrooms now known as ‘Monaghan’ has grown to become a diverse team over 3,000 people strong, fully committed to leading the mushroom category. The company has grown to become one of the largest mushroom producers in the world, serving some of the largest international retailers. Ronnie Wilson (Founder, Monaghan Mushrooms) has been a visionary in realising the true potential of mushrooms, establishing Monaghan as a renowned research and innovation hub. Monaghan is one of the largest mushroom producers in the world known as a vertically integrated agribusiness involved in all aspects of the supply chain from substrate production to growing, harvesting, packing and distribution.

The company are passionate about providing work-based learning opportunities and collaborate with CMETB on the existing Laboratory Techniques Traineeship in the hope to develop their team of scientists. During the traineeship candidates have the opportunity to develop skills in the area of microbiology, soil science and chemistry making them more skilled, more employable and growing their career options.

For the 5^th Year of this Traineeship, CMETB are also partnering with Lakeland Dairies who are offering placements for the 2022 students. Lakeland Dairies recently hosted an Information Session about the Laboratory Assistant Traineeship in their Bailieborough site. The event was a huge success with over 50 tickets sold for the event highlighting a growing interest in science as a career.

Lakeland Dairies are a major dairy processing co-operative, operating within a nineteen county catchment area across the northern half of the island of Ireland. The Group processes about 1.8 billion litres of quality milk annually into a range of value added dairy foodservice products and functional dairy food ingredients.

Lakeland Diaries have established themselves as a global market leader with a comprehensive portfolio of 170 different dairy foodservice and food ingredient products, exporting to customers in 70 countries across the globe.

The company have strong focus on the development and evolution of their technical capabilities through an ongoing investment programme in new technologies and equipment. This is supported through the ongoing training and development of people and the recruitment of experienced professionals.

The Laboratory Assistant Traineeship is an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain work experience (and potentially employment) with leading local employers who have a global reach.

Applications are now open for September 2022 and places will be offered for the Traineeship in August. To enrol or for further information, please contact Michelle on 049 4353924, 087 679 3462 or email training@cmetb.ie or visit the website.

Picture caption: Laboratory Traineeship now enrolling for September 2022. Representatives from Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, Lakeland Dairies, Monaghan Mushrooms and Monaghan Institute pictured at Lakeland Dairies in Bailieborough

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