Dairy Technologist Review

This varies greatly from project work to cover in different departments. Training an writing standard operating procedures and risk assessments is how the majority is spent. Training on all major parts of the factory is done at a level so that the knowledge is there but that we can't operatre the machinery we are looking at, this is the same with SOPs.

Being self sufficient and independant at college, living away from home for a length of time has given many skills. Confidence with public speaking and people skills/interaction have definately been developed through group exercises and a lot of individual presentations to various stake holders. Skills in machinery operation also.

The course at college is somewhat enjoyable depending on who the subject is taught by and the enthusasium/ learning style brought forward. At work the job can be enjoyable but it deoends what we are tasked with doing and changes. Overall i would say the course was enjoyable and the content interesting.

The course is very disorgansied. College blocks are always subject to change and the course manager/teachers are not aware of what is going on or what is going to be taught until last minute, this has caused a lot of disruption for example our last block a few subjects were taken out and these will be added to the next block making everything a lot harder. The final year project is still unknown and how we will be assessed through the apprentiship scheme.

Support if needed is provided by my employer. Regular meetings and check-ins are held by my manager and if i need assistance he will help or help me to know where to get this support. Reviews are done with every eden student on site to the managemnt team again this can help to solve issues raised.

Support with assignment submissions is good and questions asked are answered promptly. However, support in aspects outside of coursework is limited. Communication is not very good and we are not made aware of things unless we ask i.e late feedback on coursework.The college has good support for people in different circumstances i.e. mental health.

The qualification gives a strong understanding of dairy from cow to production. This helps see the bigger pitcute in all aspects of the factory and the knowledge gained means its easy to contribute to CI and problem solves held on site. The running of machinery will be helpful if this is what our jobs are to entail when we finish.

We are involved in a scheme helping city children to get a feel for the country side and the farming aspects of it. We teach the children about dairy and where milk comes from and hoew it is used in the UK. We have the opertunity to attend sporting socials from teams supported.

No

The course is good and content intersting however, job security is not certain anymore and it seems a lot of changes are being made to the way the scheme is and the outcome for graduates. Job security is not a certanty and this could be quite worrying for potential new starters.

Have a basic understanding dairy and the factory setting. Be prepared witrh aspirations for the fututre after the degree and any ideas of where you could see yourself and in what setting. Think about how flexible you are to move around the country as this can be a possibilty especially for a job at the end of the course.