As part of the Excellence in Education through Business Links (EEBL) programme I visited Award Winning Border Biscuits in Lanark. The visit was arranged by Helen Salt, South Lanarkshire’s Business Engagement Coordinator. I was given a thourough tour of Border Biscuits by Financial Director Caryl Hamilton, and got to see first hand the production process. This is valuable for the Higher Business Management syllabus for our students.
I saw the high attention to detail that the workers have to have at Border Biscuits, and indeed the real life use of literacy and numeracy in their jobs, which is superb considering out new curriculum has a whole school focus on both literacy and numeracy. In particular being able to work out weights and calculating measurements was crucial in the factory jobs. I was very impressed with the automated production line which is highly accurate and can produce more biscuits than any human. I also learned just how important packaging is to producers, something which in the syllabus is taught but perhaps not made enough of.
I met with various other staff of Border Biscuits, and gained an insight and overview on the business. It re-emphasised the importance of superior ingredients from suppliers in order to make a quality, high end product.
It was also interesting to see just how important having ICT skills were. Everyone who worked outwith the factory floor needed to be able to use Excel, which is nice to know for our pupils taking Administration.
Border Biscuits have won many awards of late including Asda Supplier of the Year and the Food & Drink Scotland Business of the Year.
I of course got to sample the biscuits and I really loved the raspberry, white chocolate & pistachio flavour from the Gourmet Goodness range. Delicious.
I cannot thank Caryl enough for giving up her valuable time and being such a brilliant host, and to Helen for organising the visit.
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