On this episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we interview Kirsty Barden, a Business Development Manager at MDS, a scheme set up in 1986 to train the next generation of employees in the food industry.
On this episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we interview Kirsty Barden, a Business Development Manager at MDS, a scheme set up in 1986 to train the next generation of employees in the food industry.
Kirsty starts out by explaining how she got into the MDS programme after graduating with a degree in Forensic Science. She then moves on to tell us about her current role at MDS and the experience that graduates have during their time on the programme, which includes support from the MDS organisation and the chance to make a real difference to the food industry as a whole. She also shares exciting news about a new government grant that will fund apprenticeships on the MDS programme for trainees that don’t have a degree.
Later, we talk with Kirsty about some of the benefits of working in the food industry, from having a satisfying job with real career progression, to being part of an industry that’s highly resistant to fluctuations in the economy. We wrap by learning how to apply for the MDS programme and where to go for further information.
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Timestamps
[0:47] We introduce special guest Kirsty Barden
[1:25] Kirsty explains how she started working with MDS and her transition into a procurement and NPD
[3:21] Kirsty’s switch into education and a freelance role back with MDS that clicked
[5:10] How Kirsty’s story resonates with us
[5:57] How closely does your education need to reflect your interests and relate to your career?
[7:48] Kirsty dives in to explain the background and objectives of the MDS graduate programme
[9:15] What does the MDS graduate programme look like today?
[9:55] A fantastic statistic about the MDS programme and what graduates receive when they complete their two years at MDS
[10:42] A £500,000 apprenticeship budget and how MDS plans to spend it
[11:59] How former members of the Armed Forces can benefit from the MDS programme
[13:56] What we love about the MDS programme
[15:00] Why you no longer need a degree to participate in the MDS programme
[16:58] “Part of MDS is finding out what you don’t want to do”.
[17:57] MDS trainees have a chance to make a real difference in the food industry
[19:58] How many businesses are involved in MDS and how do companies feel about working with their competitors to train graduates?
[23:02] It’s about looking at the industry as a whole
[23:57] Universities, online networking events, case studies and storytelling: Spreading the word about the MDS programme
[26:04] The food industry is more resistant to economic downturn
[26:42] Opening the doors of the food industry to people who don’t know about it
[27:52] Younger workers are seeking career progression and satisfaction
[29:01] Get rid of your five year plan!
[31:12] What challenges are young people facing today when they think about entering the jobs market?
[33:48] The food industry needs to develop an infrastructure to retain talent
[35:53] Empowering, not handholding: The support that MDS gives to trainees throughout the programme
[37:37] How to apply for the MDS schemes and where to go for further information
Links
For further information about the MDS scheme and to learn how to become a member of MDS, email Kirsty at info@mds-ltd.co.uk
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