The Garin College/Sealord Link
The industry perspective – Frits Hofman, Sealord
Frits Hofman visiting the class
Frits enjoyed dealing with the students: "It's very exciting, especially when they are enthusiastic. They think a lot more ‘out of the square’. They come up with ideas that initially seem very strange, but when you start to think about them, you think 'hang on, maybe there's something in this’.” He has filed an idea or two away for some further thought some time in the future.
While he takes an obvious enjoyment in the success of the students, Frits says he is unable to gauge exactly how much his input contributed to this success, in terms of achieving the goals of the technology curriculum. "I'm more concerned with making practical contribution rather than theory. It's not my job, I'll leave that to the teaching profession."
Whatever the measurable results of the link, Frits reckons his contribution brought a number of intangible benefits. "Students get to see somebody who works in the industry and enjoys it. They may be stimulated to study and to set goals." Also, by interacting with a professional other than their teacher, students learn to be assertive, he says. "This is important if they go on to tertiary study where they are expected to ask questions."
By having a practising technologist in the classroom, students (and their teachers) can be directed to up-to-date information of which they may not otherwise have been aware, he says. "Teachers have to teach the latest material, but how do they find it? Professionals know because they deal with it everyday." Practising technologists also have an intimate grasp of the details that may otherwise get lost. "Things like packaging becomes interesting when the detail is explained."
From a personal perspective, Frits says being involved was an opportunity to share something of his 25 years of experience as a food technologist and his excitement for his job.
Checking the temperature of the crumbed fish
From a company perspective, Frits says Sealord's involvement has a number of benefits. Frits’ involvement at Garin College is part of Sealord’s strategy to promote Food Technology as a career option to students. Sealord’s success depends on continually developing innovative products, and for this they need food technologists, he says. For a number of years, the company has hosted school visits to its Nelson plants and participated in career days to let students know the company is about more than freezing and filleting fish. The company has also hosted a number of internships for tertiary Food Technology students.
Also, as a large employer in the Nelson region, the company has a social responsibility. "Through these links we achieve something outside the area of making money for the shareholders."
“And, you never know, there was also the chance that one of the students would come up with an idea worthy of commercial development."
