Nolan Meats worker Nikita Ellison works full time, buys home at 24

A young Gympie woman is about to purchase her first home at the age of 24 after finding her passion at a major agribusiness in her hometown.

Sustainability coordinator Nikita Ellison from Nolan Meats.

At just 24 years old Nikita Ellison is about to buy her own home after finishing her degree and finding a career she’s passionate about.

Ms Ellison has taken on the role as a sustainability co-ordinator for Nolan Meats in her hometown of Gympie.

She decided to enter the red meat processing industry so she could work in a fast-paced environment.

It also provided the flexibility to complete her Bachelor of Agriculture Business and Bachelor of Sustainable Agriculture.

Red meat was not her obvious career choice at first for but following her instincts has landed her with a rewarding job and positioned her to buy her first property at 24 years old.

Sustainability Coordinator Nikita Ellison from Nolan Meats.

“Working in red meat processing is one of the best things I’ve decided to do with my life, and I will always tell anyone to give this industry a go,” Ms Ellison said.

“There is an idea that there aren’t available jobs in the agriculture sector, but four positions are available for every agriculture graduate, and there are so many opportunities in red processing.”

Ms Ellison has shared her story as part of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation’s More to Meat campaign to highlight university graduate opportunities within the industry.

The modern industry requires a broad range of skills, including science, engineering, and trades, a More to Meat campaign press release stated.

Nolan Meats director Terry Nolan said the company was proud of local employees like Ms Ellison “who are driving further advances” in the industry.

“It is terrific to have 400 jobs here at Nolan Meats today, and we look forward to developing local people to fill the wide range of skills for the business,” he said.

Australian Meat Processor Corporation chief executive officer Chris Taylor.

Australian Meat Processor Corporation chief executive officer Chris Taylor said university-educated roles have a growing importance within the red meat processing industries in regional Australia.

“Those jobs are important to the industry, but they also create skilled work for young people in towns like Gympie, helping them buy homes and set up their lives,” he said.