From exploding marshmallows and sensory baked bean testing to meeting manufacturing robots, youngsters have been learning about the many food production careers available in the county.
Throughout the year, the University of Lincoln’s, National Centre for Food Manufacturing located on the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), has opened its doors to local schools.
NCFM have been delivering one-day taster sessions at the Holbeach sit, made possible through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), giving youngsters a chance to understand career prospects in the food industry locally and nationally.
Youngsters have been getting a taste of the career paths available to them by visiting the University of Lincoln’s, National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach
“It opened my eyes to different opportunities available to me,” said Sophia Jones, one of the students who took part.
Many young people don’t necessarily know that jobs and apprenticeship routes are available on their doorstep, so these sessions gave an insight into the possibilities and the exciting activities that take place.
From food science benchmarking, marshmallow vacuum pump experiments, sensory testing with baked beans, and enzymatic browning, using the University of Lincoln’s state-of-the-art laboratories at the Centre of Excellence in Holbeach.
Youngsters have been getting a taste of the career paths available to them by visiting the University of Lincoln’s, National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach
The activities were thoroughly enjoyed, especially with the exploding marshmallows and learning how science is used to adapt the food and drink products we use in our everyday life.
Factory tours at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing’s purpose-built factory taught youngsters about engineering functions such as robotic applications, including demonstrations.
They were also able to meet the in-house robots who showed off their capabilities and were given an insight into extrusion cooking, which is playing a pivotal role in developing the next generation of foods needed to sustain a growing population.
Youngsters have been getting a taste of the career paths available to them by visiting the University of Lincoln’s, National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach
Guest speakers from local businesses Winyard Engineering, Burgess Farm and Bakkavor gave their time to discuss career pathways and insights into their functions.
FEZ tenants, AJS Automation, offered a tour of their facilities to showcase their work.
University Academy Holbeach head of sixth form Gemma Evans said they had ‘a great time’ and the tour was ‘useful to the students’.
Youngsters have been getting a taste of the career paths available to them by visiting the University of Lincoln’s, National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach
“They came back raving about their day,” she added.
“It was really useful for them to see the industry standard facilities in how quality is managed.”
If you work in education and think this will benefit your students, further information is available by emailing chall@lincoln.ac.uk.