Pictured above: (l-r) Andy Johnson (student) , Helen Elliot (Work Related Learning Co-Ordinator at The Robert Manning College) Sally Sutcliff (Teacher) and Jade Lane (student)

A global animal feed company whose UK headquarters are based in Stamford, Lincolnshire has been giving local students a helping hand with their work.

Alltech - one of the most successful animal health and nutrition companies in the world - invited Year 12 pupils from The Robert Manning College in Bourne to find how a global organisation works as part of their Business, Administration, Finance and IT diplomas. 

Alltech has a global network of production facilities and customers and the pupils, aged between 16 and 17, saw at first hand how the skills they have learnt in the classroom can be used in the workplace. Helen Elliot, Work Related Learning Co-ordinator from The Robert Manning College, explained why the school was so keen to work with Alltech.

"Engagement with employers is vital to ensure that students can understand how the theory that they learn in the classroom can be transferred to the work place and the college was looking to forge links with local businesses that were relevant to the courses we offer," she said.

"During our initial meeting with Alltech we were delighted when we realised just what the company could offer our students in terms of the insight into the many aspects of their businesses which are all relevant to their diploma."

Helen added: "Alltech has been highly supportive in putting together sessions and workshops which show how the subjects the students are studying are relevant in the business world. The visits have been hugely beneficial and the college hopes to maintain the partnership so that the students can continue to benefit."

Year 12 student Andy Johnson agreed: "My visit to Alltech has helped me to understand the business as a whole and has given me a wider knowledge of the different job roles throughout the company. I thought it was extremely interesting to experience being in a corporate environment."

Ian Leach, Business General Manager at Alltech, who set up the programme, explained: "Working in agriculture is certainly far more varied and interesting than many students realise.

"There are opportunities for scientists, food nutritionists, business managers and marketers and many agricultural companies these days are global, offering employees the opportunity to work all over the world. 

"By sharing this with students such as those at The Robert Manning College we hope to encourage more young people to enter the industry, which is vital for the sustainability of the feed and food sectors, so that we will have the capabilities of feeding nine billion people globally in 2050."