Since the beginning of the year we at Browns Food Group have continued our work with DYW Dumfries and Galloway. We believe it is hugely important to connect with young people at an early age and especially at an age they are beginning to think about what they might want to do in future with their careers. Over the year we have attended a few local events in attempts to show just what Browns Food Group has to offer and show that it is more than just “the meat factory”.
This year we attended the second annual Bang Goes DG held at Easterbrook Hall. High school students from all around Dumfries and Galloway had the chance to come along and find out more about what this area has to offer. We displayed alongside some amazing businesses and had the chance to show different aspects of the business and talk one-on-one with students to show where a career at Browns could take them. There was also a visit from two very special guests: Hamish the Haggis and Wee Willie Winkie!
It’s important for us to get as interactive as possible when attending events like this and so when the chance arises our Butchery Mentor Craig Murray will hone his skills. Craig often demonstrates how to de-bone a pork shoulder to students, a job that is to be done within a couple of minutes in the factory. He also asks the question: How many legs does a pig have? Which definitely stumps a few students (and teachers too!), but the answer is two. A pig has two legs and two shoulders.
Of course when doing the events we always put on a delicious spread of food, because what better way to show what this company does than having some food to taste. We recently went down to the newly opened “The Bridge” down in Dumfries, a fantastic place built to help develop and nurture specialised skills and knowledge within the community and further education. At The Bridge, similar to Bang Goes DG, we showcased some of the career paths that can be taken at Browns Food Group. Having the main factory in such a small tight-knitted community we believe it to be important to get involved in events like this no matter how big or small they may be. Even if we only inspire one child it’s always beneficial.
Most recently we attended Sanquhar Academy’s Maths Week. Our staff went to school for the day to teach the third year students a little bit about how maths is useful in the everyday working of the company. We showed the whole process from working out marinade weights to the cost of the final product taking the students through the entire process of developing a new product.
After a hard day of maths the staff then got up to tell the students about their career paths. It is crucial for us to show the array of options students have from working from the bottom to a higher position, going to university or college and that it’s never too late or early for that matter to start your career. We are excited to continue our work with Developing the Young Workforce and showing the array of paths and careers they can venture into!
