AgriCAREERConnect 2026
Connecting South Africa’s Agricultural and Food Talent with Industry
As the agricultural industry continues to battle with skills shortages, and graduates often struggle to find entry-level jobs, AgriCAREERConnect (ACC) 2026 returns with an expanded series of university events designed to connect talented students with career opportunities across the agri-food value chain.
This is also a valuable occasion for the industry to unlock essential prospects for industrial engineers who play a pivotal role in optimising efficiency, innovation, and data or AI-driven technology throughout the entire agricultural value chain. Building on the success of previous years, ACC has positioned itself as a dynamic platform where students, graduates and postgraduates engage directly with industry leaders, explore career pathways, and gain practical insight into employer expectations — from technical roles to commercial and value chain careers.
2026 Event Highlights
AgriCAREERConnect 2026 will host three flagship events at leading universities:
Stellenbosch University (SU) Thursday, 30 July 2026 – Fismer Hall, Conservatorium
University of Pretoria (UP) Wednesday, 19 August 2026 – UP Conference Centre
University of Johannesburg (UJ) Tuesday, 22 September 2026, The Kerzner at STH, UJ
Event Format and Focus
Each ACC event features:
- High-energy panel discussions
- Informal expo-style networking with leading industry representatives
- Direct student-employer engagement
Sessions are structured to reflect key sectors in agriculture:
- Production & Technical Careers
- Horticulture, agronomy, soil science, viticulture, plant pathology, entomology, animal science, food science, microbiology.
- Commercial Value Chain Careers
- Agribusiness, finance, logistics, supply chain, marketing and sales, trade, retail within the scope of agronomy/horticulture, food and animal science.
- Industrial Engineering
- Unlock essential opportunities for industrial engineers who play a pivotal role in optimising efficiency, innovation, and sustainability throughout the entire agricultural value chain.
Target Audience
ACC 2026 attracts a diverse and highly relevant student audience, including:
- Plant sciences (horticulture, agronomy, plant pathology, postharvest, genetics)
- Animal science and related disciplines
- Agricultural economics and agribusiness
- Commerce fields (finance, accounting, marketing, trading, logistics, supply chain)
- Food science and microbiology
- Industrial engineering
Collectively, the events are expected to engage hundreds of students and graduates who are actively pursuing careers in agriculture and food.
Bridging the Skills Gap
Despite a growing number of qualified graduates, the agri-food sector continues to face shortages of industry-ready, specialised skills. AgriCAREERConnect directly addresses this challenge by:
- Providing early exposure to career pathways
- Enabling companies to engage and identify talent pipelines
- Supporting students in making informed career decisions
- Aligning academic training with industry needs
Industry Participation
ACC offers companies a unique opportunity to:
- Participate in panel discussions
- Showcase their business and career opportunities
- Build visibility among top-performing students
- Network directly with potential future employees
Participating organisations represent the full agricultural spectrum — from primary production and input supply to agribusiness, logistics, export and retail — all committed to developing the next generation of talent.
About AgriCAREERConnect
AgriCAREERConnect is an initiative of Agrijob, aimed at strengthening connections between students, universities and the agricultural industry. Through its events and the www.agrijob.co.za platform, ACC supports career development, recruitment, and industry engagement in South Africa’s agri-food sector.
For More Information
🌐 www.agrijob.co.za
📧 Marianne van der Laarse – marianne@agrijob.co.za | 082 388 1000