Reaseheath College’s dairy technologists celebrate first year success
Seventeen trainee dairy technologists reached a significant career milestone when they completed the first year of their Eden training programme at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire, earlier this month.
The technologists work for leading companies in the dairy industry and attend the Eden International Dairy Academy for block release training, spending the rest of their time in their workplace. They will graduate with a globally recognised foundation degree in dairy technology on completion of their three year course. The unique education initiative is supported by key players in the dairy industry and is aimed at producing world-class staff. There are currently 54 trainees on the programme.
While at college, the technologists develop practical dairy processing skills in Reaseheath’s industry-standard, food and dairy processing plant. The facilities enable the students to see food production from start to finish and also to carry out new product development.
Three of the first year cohort were in line for special honours as they celebrated completing their initial year of study.
Mark Panczak, who works for Arla Foods, was selected as the Best Practical Student, while Richard Jeeves, also from Arla, received the Best Academic Student award.
Kerena Edwards, a Dairy Crest employee,was voted the Dairy Culture Student of the Year after receiving the student vote for the way she represents the Eden values of excellence.
The awards were presented by Nick Blakemore, Food Curriculum Area Manager and Acting Head of the department.
Course Manager Lucy Catley said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to teach these students and I am very proud of them all. They all performed extremely well and it was very difficult to choose the award winners.”
Caption: Mark Panczak, Kerena Edwards and Richard Jeeves are pictured with Nick Blakemore and Lucy Catley after the awards ceremony