In the spirit of giving back to the industry, Agricultural Employers’ Association in collaboration with National Industrial Training Institute (NITA) started a graduate apprenticeship programme in January 2020 whereby the sole purpose of the programme was to help the graduates gain practical experience in a specified industrial occupation. Upon completion of their 6 months course work, the team was to be placed in different companies within the membership of the Association to gain practical skills and knowledge and understand operations better.

After evaluation by NITA and inspection of the AEA’s facilities to establish capacity and resources available to take up graduate apprentices, the Association embarked on a recruitment process that promoted meritocracy, equity and diversity. Out of the more than 100 applicants in the HR and Finance Professions, 5 were picked to start the programme.