25.11.2008
A meat factory worker from Morayshire has been celebrating after completing one of the food and drink industry’s top training awards.
Ian Cargill, who works as a dispatch supervisor at Highland Country Foods in Forres, is one of the first people in the Highlands region to successfully complete a Modern Apprenticeship in meat processing in the past five years.
“I joined Highland Country Foods straight from leaving school at 16,” he said. “An old boss of mine asked if I would like to undertake a Modern Apprenticeship, and I agreed as I knew it would help my career development. I’ve been lucky – I left the company for a couple of years, and when I returned I was able to carry on with the award.”
In completing his apprenticeship, Ian successfully achieved Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) at levels one, two and three, as well as modules at each level in five core skills – numeracy, communication, working with others, problem solving and IT. Assessment took place entirely on-the-job, with an assessor visiting every 4-6 weeks to watch Ian work, and set him projects. The work covered every aspect of meat processing, from health and safety and hygiene, through to production control. It even included a four-day trip to Denmark, to visit meat plants and learn some of the different techniques used.
“I’m incredibly pleased that I have completed the course and I think it was well worth it,” continued Ian. “It’s helped to develop my skills and I definitely wouldn’t be at the level I am today without it.”
Sandra Lennox from Scottish Meat Training said: “Ian has done remarkably well to complete the course, and it’s great that Highland Country Foods was able to continue to support him with his training after he re-joined the company.”
Kelvin Thomson from Improve, the food and drink sector skills council which is responsible for Modern Apprenticeships in food and drink, is full of praise for Ian, and for his employers. “Highland Country Foods has long understood the value of investing in its staff,” he said. “A better-skilled workforce leads to increased efficiency and productivity and also boosts staff retention rates, which helps companies save money on recruitment and allows them to get the best out of their staff.”
The Scottish government has recently approved plans to open up the Modern Apprenticeship to more food and drink companies and their employees by approving a proposal to launch a level 2 scheme, put forward by Improve. Unlike the rest of the UK, apprenticeships in Scotland have previously only been available at Level 3, which Kelvin believes is one of the main reasons why take-up of the qualification has been so low. “The Modern Apprenticeship has been pitched at too high a level for many workers in the industry,” he said. “Introducing Modern Apprenticeships at level 2 will instantly make the award more appealing, breaking it down into more achievable steps without compromising on the skills delivered, and bringing it in line with wider industry needs. It will open the qualification up to a greater number of people, making it easier for other food and drink employees to follow in Ian’s footsteps and go on to pursue higher level awards.”
Highland Country Foods, which is part of ANM Group Ltd, one of the UK’s largest farmer-owned businesses, supplies quality cooked meats to the UK sandwich industry. Established more than 30 years ago, the company employs 19 people, working from its site in Forres.
