Cargill hatchery worker wins 2017 Zoetis / BPC Trainee Award
Polish hatchery worker Klaudia Roszkowska, who came to the UK to seek a new life, is the 2017 winner of the Zoetis / British Poultry Council Trainee Award.She was presented with the award, which includes a £2000 training grant from Zoetis and a £500 cash prize from the magazine Poultry World, by MP Neil Parish, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, at the annual BPC awards presentations at the House of Commons attended by more than 120 senior figures from the UK poultry industry on Tuesday December 5.
Twelve years ago Klaudia moved to the UK and, after working in a poultry processing plant and in crisp manufacture, she joined Cargill Meats Europe at its Shobdon hatchery, near Hereford, and became chick process team leader. In 2015 she was appointed to a new position as technical incubationist focusing on improving performance, efficiency and cost.
“Two years on we are reaping the rewards of our investment,” said Phil Harris, Cargill hatcheries manager. “Klaudia’s self-drive and dogged determination has continued. She focuses on the key criteria that really make a difference and has made significant progress in taking the hatchery forward.”
The judging panel – Jake Davies, editor of Poultry World, James Porritt, Zoetis poultry manager for UK and Ireland, and Lisa Smith of the British Poultry Council – were impressed by her proactive approach, work ethic and enthusiasm. “She has demonstrated huge determination and initiative in developing from an entry-level job to a key member of Cargill’s production in a relatively short time,” they stated.
Klaudia is now studying for a Level 3 Work-based Diploma in Agriculture and intends to use the grant for distance learning with Scotland’s Rural College to study for a postgraduate diploma in the Applied Poultry Science.
The other finalists, who also attended the presentation where the winner was announced, are Samantha Alexander who runs a pullet rearing unit for Heal Eggs at Shawbury, near Shrewsbury, and Warren Knights, who works on a broiler growing farm in Norfolk.
Samantha Alexander had a passion for animals as a child and at 16 began an egg collecting job in Maybole, near Ayr. She started with Heal Eggs in 2012 and two years later was appointed to manage a new aviary rearing unit. Her employer Tony Heal said she has produced “flock after flock some of the finest pullets I’ve ever seen which has in turn had a significant impact on our egg laying performance.”
Warren Knights began working on the Bright family’s broiler growing farm at Mileham in Norfolk in May last year. Four months later Tim Bright became ill and Warren worked tirelessly with Tim’s wife Sue to keep the farm going. “Without Warren, we would have had to shut the farm until I recovered enough to start again,” said Mr Bright. Warren’s training is provided by Poultec who nominated him for two awards in the summer.
About Zoetis
Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2016, the company generated annual revenue of $4.9 billion with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com