An event to inspire young people to think about a dairy industry career will be held later this year.
The first Think Dairy Careers Expo, organised by the Digital Dairy Chain and Harrison & Hetherington, will be held at the Borderway Centre in Carlisle in April.
it is hoped secondary schools across the region will sign up to attend to show pupils the dairy industry is a viable career option.
Glyn Lucas, senior dairy auctioneer with Harrison & Hetherington, said: “If we are to build a sustainable future for the UK dairy industry, I believe it is crucial to bridge the gap today with the next generation of young people who are going to be the stars of tomorrow.
“The Think Dairy Careers Expo is the first dedicated event of this kind to be held in the UK, and it is going to be a game changer for the industry in attracting new thinking and new energy.
“We talk a lot about diversity in agriculture, and the Think Dairy Expo is a platform for showing young people who have no background in agriculture or farming the opportunities the dairy industry has for them to build a career, not just in livestock management but in business and environmental management, and in the hugely expanding application of new technology, robotics and AI.
“We are reaching out to young people with different ideas and different visions of what excellence looks like, because these are the future leaders who will make the biggest difference to our industry in the years to come.”
Think Dairy will showcase the wide variety of careers within the dairy sector, highlight the abundance of STEM-based roles, and allow students to meet the industry’s key businesses and employers who will be running interactive stands.
Exhibitors include several national dairy processors based in the region, including First Milk, Cows & Co and Lactalis.
On the day, students will have the opportunity to take part in a mock cattle auction and hear from inspirational young dairy professionals on their route into the industry and exhibitors are being encouraged to run internships or work experience for students as a follow-on from the event.
Stuart Martin, programme director for the Digital Dairy Chain, said: “By making this careers expo as interactive and engaging for the students as possible we hope to change perceptions of what working in dairy means.
“We hope that more young people with a passion for science, maths and technology realise that they can find stimulating and fulfilling careers outside of the cities too. There’s an abundance of undiscovered dairy opportunities here in Cumbria and South West Scotland.”
The event takes place on April 23. For more information about the Think Dairy Career Expo, book a stand or enquire about school bookings, email info@digitialdairychain.co.uk
