Apprentice Katy uses new digital skills to boost production for drinks firm
Switched on Katy Wright put learning into practice on her apprenticeship when her new found digital skills boosted productivity for her firm.
After taking a Modern Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Operations with Diageo, Katy used her initiative to cut equipment breakdowns and operational stops on complex machinery by almost half on one of the firm’s busiest production lines.
The 26-year-old, of Glenrothes, Fife, led the way in creating and implementing new standards on a production line in Leven by developing clear standards to boost consistency, safety and efficiency.
Katy chose to take an online administrator course in digital tools to gain the skills she needed to develop standards in key production processes, adapt troubleshooting guides into digital formats and create new visual management procedures.
Katy explained: “The labels on my line were being sliced manually, but the correct procedures weren’t being followed, so bottles weren’t being labelled correctly, which led to stoppages and meant the line wasn't running at 100%.
“I reviewed the standards we had in place for that area of the machine, then implemented a new process and coached everyone on it, reducing the stoppage times significantly and boosting our productivity.”
The former Glenwood High School pupil had been inspired to apply for the Modern Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Operations after learning that Diageo champions inclusion and diversity, with women in many of its senior management roles.
And she has now progressed on to a new role as a Digital Co-ordinator with the Digital Team in the Manufacturing Excellence area of the business.
Katy added: “In previous jobs I had reached a level where I couldn’t really go further, and I knew the apprenticeship would give me a clear pathway.
“The fact that Diageo has lots of women in senior roles was another thing that attracted me to the company.”
Katy completed Highers in Music, English, History, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and PE and started a degree in music before realising she wanted a career with a clear pathway.
All of Katy’s learning was completed in-house, with progress checked regularly by her assessor at Fife College.
Modern Apprenticeships are working for Scotland, developed with employers to meet workforce demand. They are jobs open to anyone aged 16 and over who wants to work, learn and earn.
Modern Apprentices spend most of their time learning in the workplace while being supported by a learning provider, like a college, to gain an industry recognised qualification.
Katy said: “Doing the Modern Apprenticeship at Diageo has really worked for me as there are so many different career paths that you can choose.
“My confidence has improved, along with teamwork and communication, as you’re having to build relationships with new people all the time.”
Diageo Capability Manager Silvia Gaidano said: “Katy is an all-round superstar – she’s a great asset, keen and able, and goes outside her comfort zone to gain as much experience as possible.
“She has a real sense of ownership that makes her outstanding. If there is a problem, she does everything in her power to fix it.”
Silvia added: “Apprenticeships provide valuable career opportunities for young people, working for Scotland by contributing positively to local economies.”
Fife College Workplace Assessor Kelvin Thomson said: “Katy was highly motivated, and keen to push forward and complete her apprenticeship in double time.”
Katy’s achievements have led to her being a finalist in the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 5 category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
The awards take place on 26 February as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2 to 6 March). Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards.