Our team recently had the pleasure of spending a truly inspiring day at Alston Dairy—and it’s safe to say we left feeling energised, welcomed, and reminded of exactly why we’re so passionate about what we do.
Nikki Martin, our Learner Experience & Onboarding Manager, and Kirsty Tonner, our Specialist Food Trainer, visited the brilliant team at ALSTON DAIRY LIMITED to learn more about their operations, meet their people, and strengthen our partnership in developing talent across the food and drink sector.
A huge thank you goes to Matt and Wendy Parkinson, who graciously opened their doors and showed us around the dairy. Their passion for high‑quality production, staff development, and community values shone through in every part of the tour.
From understanding more about their processes to discussing workforce development, the visit provided a brilliant insight into how our apprenticeship programmes can continue supporting their growth.
Meeting Future Apprentices
One of the highlights of the day was meeting two fantastic operatives who are about to begin their Level 2 Food and Drink Process Operator Apprenticeship with us.
Their enthusiasm and commitment to building new skills is exactly what makes our work so rewarding. We can’t wait to be part of their learning journey and support them through their programme.
And Yes… There Were Donkeys!
No visit to Alston Dairy would be complete without saying hello to their much‑loved donkeys. A fun and unexpected moment that certainly added to an already memorable visit!
A Sweet Finish at The Milk Shed
To round off the day, the team enjoyed a delicious milkshake from The Milk Shed, which is open to the public. If you’re local to Preston, we highly recommend popping in for a treat—you won’t be disappointed.
Why Days Like This Matter
Spending time with partners like Alston Dairy reminds us why we’re so committed to developing skills, supporting staff, and strengthening businesses across the food and drink sector.
These visits aren’t just about apprenticeships—they’re about building relationships, understanding industry needs, and ensuring our programmes deliver real value where it matters most.
We’re proud to be walking this journey with Alston Dairy and look forward to seeing their apprentices thrive.
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