PROFILE OF A TECHNICAL COORDINATOR

Growing up in Keilor and attending Overnewton Anglican Community College, my first taste of the dairy industry came from work experience conducted at Nestle, as part of my Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science degree studies.

Initially wanting to study medical research, with an understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, I later developed an affinity towards the food industry and tried to get work in the food industry.

My first job after graduating from a combined course of Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (majoring in Chemistry and Microbiology), led to working as a production operator on long shifts at Tatura Milk. I now work for the same company, but in a different division as a technical coordinator.

In this current role I am charged with the responsibility of coordinating product and process trials. This involves evaluation of products and developing improvements.

Starting this role as a graduate, I undertook a Graduate Diploma of Dairy Technology in my first year of employment.

I now perceive the dairy industry as moving away from an unskilled workforce to a well-trained employee base that is becoming very competent, with the ability to make independent changes and evaluations to its operations.