The schoolboy spent his wages buying beef cattle, one of his first steps towards a career in the industry.

Fast forward and the recent graduate of Charles Sturt University is now one of five participants in the two-year Kilcoy Global Foods (KGF) Future Leaders Graduate Program, launched by the company in 2020.

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"I'm loving the experience so far and my goal is to work my way up to a management position," Mr Lydford said.

"I really want to have an impact on the red meat industry as a whole and leave my mark in some way whether it be in sustainability, innovation or improvement in the supply chain."

KGF, with headquarters on the Sunshine Coast, runs a grain-fed beef processing plant in the Somerset region of south-east Queensland.

Mr Lydford, who studied agriculture science at university, is enthusiastic about the opportunities before him.

"KGF are innovators and leaders in the grain-fed beef processing industry and they want to recruit young talent, grow their capabilities so they become future leaders of the industry," he said.

Participants in the program get opportunities to lead projects, present to senior stakeholders and execute community and inclusion programs.

KGF President Australian Division Jiah Falcke said the business was looking for young professionals with a passion for innovation and the knowledge to contribute to creating food systems which were more competitive, prosperous and sustainable.

"We teach our graduates how we do things so that in the future they'll be food industry leaders burning the KGF branding iron of excellence and innovation, and guiding Australia's food processing industry," he said.

"The key to the program is the strong focus on innovation and creating future leaders who are prepared to think outside the box and we are already seeing that from this year's graduates."

Mr Lydford, whose family has been in the building industry for eight generations, is revelling in his new responsibilities.

"They say if you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life and I can honestly say that's how I feel at Kilcoy because I love it so much," he said.

Applications are now open for the 2022 program.

To learn more or apply to be part of the program, visit www.kilcoyglobalfoods.com.au.

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