Stephanie's Story
Stephanie’s Story: A different path to success
For Stephanie Millar, Technical Apprentice at our Ballymena site in Northern Ireland, apprenticeships have led to a rewarding career in the food industry. Growing up on a farm, she always had an interest in agriculture and food. After completing her A-Levels, she realised university was not the right choice and explored alternative routes, discovering apprenticeships.
“It was quite a step up from school... but I cannot describe how rewarding it is,” Stephanie explains. “Taking control of your life at such a young age, earning your own money and gaining three years of industry experience gives you a real head start.”
Learning and growing every day
In her current role, Stephanie focuses on food safety and quality auditing while studying part-time at Loughry College. Her apprenticeship has given her the chance to work on projects that broaden her understanding of the business, including reducing ingredient wastage by analysing forecasting and planning records. “Being trusted with that responsibility has boosted my confidence and shown me how much I have grown since starting my apprenticeship,” she says.
Beyond her day-to-day role, Stephanie has enjoyed opportunities she never expected—from representing Pilgrim’s Europe at Balmoral Show to visiting hatcheries, farms and laboratories. “What surprised me most was how much responsibility I was trusted with early on,” she reflects. “I expected to observe and assist, but instead I was encouraged to take initiative and contribute to real projects. It was both surprising and empowering.”
A platform for progression
Adapting to a fast-paced environment has helped Stephanie develop time management and organisational skills, supported by regular feedback from managers. “My apprenticeship has been instrumental in both my personal and professional development,” she says. “It has equipped me with practical skills and helped me build a professional mindset.”