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Auchincruive Student Poultry Trainee of the Year

SAC student Benjamin Pollard is the Pfizer Poultry Trainee of the Year, chosen by readers of Poultry World magazine. He received his award at a ceremony in the House of Commons at the beginning of this month.

Ben, who works for poultry breeders Aviagen Ltd, attended SAC’s Auchincruive campus, completing a fast-track S/NVQ level 3 qualification in poultry production, following courses in poultry behaviour and welfare.

He joined the company in 2001, after school in Haddington and three years later became assistant manager of the firm’s Garleton farm. He was selected to work in India for three months working with the company’s grandparent breeding stock and helped develop the skills of local employees.   

SAC Poultry Lecturer and Adviser of Studies Lorraine Hannah welcomes his award.

“It very soon became apparent to me that Ben had a great deal of enthusiasm for what he was doing and a great deal of potential to take him further. Ben himself had recognised the need for formal qualifications in order that he might progress in his career and so he entered into the SVQ training programme with an enviable determination. Ben produced an excellent and detailed portfolio and completed his course by the end of October 2010, despite taking 3 months out for a secondment to India”.

Ben feels that the 3 months in India were a learning and teaching experience and offered him an opportunity to experience the poultry industry at an international level. Since his return Ben has begun a 6 month placement running a project studying the growth profile of chickens at the Aviagen Ltd headquarters in Newbridge.

Following his award (£500 cash and £2000 to be used for training/education), Ben would like to explore the possibility of studying for his HNC Poultry Production on a part time bases at SAC Auchincruive and to begin management and IT training. 

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