A HATCHERY worker has been named as the 2017 winner of the Zoetis/ British Poultry Council Trainee Award.

Twelve years ago Klaudia Roszkowska moved to the UK from Poland and, after working in a poultry processing plant and at a crisp manufacturer, she joined Cargill Meats Europe at its Shobdon hatchery, near Hereford, and became chick process team leader.

In 2015 she was appointed to a new position as technical incubationist focusing on improving performance, efficiency and cost.

She was presented with the award, which includes a £2,000 training grant from Zoetis and a £500 cash prize from the magazine Poultry World, by MP Neil Parish, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, at the annual BPC awards presentations at the House of Commons.

Phil Harris, Cargill hatcheries manager, said: “Two years on we are reaping the rewards of our investment. Klaudia’s self-drive and dogged determination has continued. She focuses on the key criteria that really make a difference and has made significant progress in taking the hatchery forward.”

The judging panel – Jake Davies, editor of Poultry World, James Porritt, Zoetis poultry manager for UK and Ireland, and Lisa Smith of the British Poultry Council – were impressed by her proactive approach, work ethic and enthusiasm.

"She has demonstrated huge determination and initiative in developing from an entry-level job to a key member of Cargill’s production in a relatively short time,” they stated.

Klaudia is now studying for a Level 3 Work-based Diploma in Agriculture and intends to use the grant for distance learning with Scotland’s Rural College to study for a postgraduate diploma in the Applied Poultry Science.

Zoetis is an animal health company, which discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services.