Trainee Dairy Technologist Review

by Arla Foods

Rating

9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Trainee Dairy Technologist - Trained up in Technical and Process Departments. Technical = Quality Testing, Micro sampling, calibrating equipment etc. Process = Raw milk intake, At-Line Testing, Cream processing. Attendence at Daily Review Meetings and Short Interval Control meetings. Regular contact with Mentor and Managers from different departments. Assisted with various projects for QEHS manager such as RCA for Micro results from fillers, trending of complaints, complaints investigations, incident reporting and support in implementation of new EHS Facilitator roles. Currently on a placement with the NPD team working on Christmas cream development. - Plant scale trial phase, therefore involved in planning, prep and results collection of samples. Additional project of creating/amending a recipe for summer production. Email correspondence internally and externally. Internally = Management and fellow staff. Externally = Suppliers and Manufacturers

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Food Hygiene and Safety Level 3 qualification. Improved Micro skills Greater knowledge of food chemistry. Experienced at operating different pieces of process equipment Improved knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy most aspects of the programme. The only thing that is a negative for me is that I work away from home.

10/10

4. How valued do you feel by Arla Foods?

I feel valued by my Manager and Mentor. I have received a couple of awards for my contribution to the site I am based at.

8/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

There was a thorough induction and site tour and at each stage in my development I have received full support from my mentor.

8/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

The support varies depending on the tutor. Sometimes responses to queries are slow or in some instances, non-existant.

7/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I receive a lot of support from my employer. They have not prevented me from pursuing things that have interested me on site.

10/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

I find the salary is very good for an apprenticeship. For me a significant portion is spent on rent as I am based in London, however I still am able to save and treat myself occasionally.

10/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

Members of the team socialise outside of work.

9/10

9. Would you recommend Arla Foods to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I would recommend specific sites if people were interested in the Apprenticeship as I am aware that depending on the management style and mentor, the experience for some people can be very different. For myself I have found Arla Foods to be a very open and forward thinking company that is supportive.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arla Foods?

Be willing to learn and try new things.