UNIVERSITY students have just two weeks left to apply to take part in the potentially career-defining ICMJ National Conference and Competition in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, in July.

Registrations close on July 2 for the ICMJ National Conference that runs from July 5-9, and it is open to university students and recent graduates from around the world.

This year’s ICMJ program covers aspects affecting meat quality in beef, lamb, pork and goat, with keynote presentations from the industry speakers, including Tom Bull of Lambpro, and Darryl D’Souza of Sunpork.

There will also be hands-on workshops to demonstrate carcase breakdown and utilization with Shannon Walker and George Abourzik who have gained fame through the Butcher Wars at MeatStock events.

ICMJ said it aims to inspire and support young people who want to build a career in the red meat industry, with its flagship national conference and competition regarded as the launching pad for industry leaders by equipping them with new skills, networks and knowledge.

ICMJ president Peter McGilchrist said that after missing two years due to COVID cancellations, students and agribusinesses were champing at the bit to attend the competition hosted by Teys Australia and seminars at Charles Sturt University.

“Unfortunately, COVID forced the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 ICMJ National Conferences, so we need to build awareness among current university students of the opportunities that ICMJ can provide for developing industry-relevant skills and finding a job after graduation,” he said.

“In previous years there have been up to 50 different companies participate in the ICMJ careers fair in Wagga, with major agribusiness’s using it as their primary source of talent recruitment for graduate employment programs.

“We’re also conscious that many university students have since graduated without having the opportunity to participate, so for the first time we will be opening the ICMJ National Competition to young industry professionals who were enrolled at a university at the time of 2020 and 2021 events,” Dr McGilchrist said.

ICMJ activities are supported by foundation partners Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation. Over their 33-year history more than 3000 people have attended the ICMJ events.

Dr McGilchrist said being an ICMJ alumni is more than just having participated in a one-off event during university.

“It’s about being part of a network that is continually looking for ways to give back so that the Australian industry stays ahead of its competitors.”

As well as the prospect of landing a job through ICMJ, the top performers in the national competition are selected to represent Australia on a tour of the United States red meat industry and compete in a US ICMJ competition, ICMJ said.

University students wanting to attend should contact their university’s meat judging coordinator.

Graduates who missed out on attending in 2020 and 2021 who would like to attend should email [email protected].