For many young people, entering the job market can feel daunting as they balance lifestyle changes, career uncertainty and ambitions for the future.
Ahead of Youth Employment Week, Edith Hogg, Food Safety & Quality Manager at Pilgrim’s Europe Craigavon reflects on her career to date and gives an insight into everyday life at the leading food company, sharing top tips and advice for those who are unsure of the next step in their career.
Working as part of the Technical team at Pilgrim’s Europe, Edith’s role as Food Safety & Quality Manager means she is responsible for overseeing product quality, traceability and internal auditing programmes, as well as collaborating with the wider operational teams to deliver improvements and meet KPIs.
Throughout her time at school, like many, Edith was unsure of what path she wanted to take. After deciding that university was not the right path for her, Edith made the decision to hit the ground running and gain on-the-job experience by applying for the role of Consumer Relations Advisor within the business.
Edith describes how it helped her gain an understanding of how a business works, allowing her to speak to customers and see how different teams connect and collaborate.
“It helped me see the bigger picture. I realised there were so many more opportunities out there than I had thought. Gaining experience at a company of this scale was a huge learning curve at such an early stage in my career that pushed me to adapt and grow quickly.”
Gaining hands-on experience and exposure to the wider business was key for Edith. Working her way through various departments opened doors she never expected, helping her build confidence and her future career prospects. It was through this experience that Edith was introduced to quality and auditing during a visit to one of the company’s factories – something she notes as a turning point in deciding the direction she wanted her career to take.
Edith applied for a Quality Assurance Auditor role and, from there, continued to build on her experience. Alongside her role, she completed a Level 5 Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacturing at CAFRE, graduating with a distinction in her Foundation Degree – an achievement she is incredibly proud of and a reflection of her journey to date. Sharing advice for those starting out in their career, Edith says:
“You don’t need to have everything figured out. Sometimes, you just have to take that first step and be open to where it might lead. If you’re not in education, employment or training right now, that doesn’t have to hold you back. Put yourself out there, apply for roles, and gain the experience – you never know what could come from it.”
Edith’s story reflects Pilgrim’s Europe’s wider commitment to developing talent through structured apprenticeship pathways and graduate opportunities that combine on-the-job experience with recognised qualifications. With over 900 employees aged 18-24 across the UK and Ireland, the company is committed to championing young people and creating opportunities for a better future for all team members. Through its Career Pathways initiative, Pilgrim’s Europe currently employs over 370 people across its apprenticeship, placement and graduate programmes.
