Jack McAlister announced as a Zoetis-NFU Poultry Trainee Award Finalist

Online judging will take place early in 2022 to decide who will receive the £2,000 training grant, sponsored by Zoetis.

Despite completing A levels in business studies and applied sciences, Jack McAlister soon concluded that working in a financial services call centre was not for him.

On the government apprenticeships website, he came across an opportunity at the Joice and Hill hatchery, which was just a few miles from home, at Market Deeping. As he had developed an interest in chickens as a child, he contacted them and went to find out more about the work.

This was three years ago, and Jack now finds himself promoted to assistant hatchery manager, helping to cover for Anne Healy who is on maternity leave.

Poultec associate director, Nathan Raines, described Jack as ‘one of the keenest learners I’ve taught over my 18 years with Poultec’.

“From our first meeting it was very clear that Jack wanted to progress with Joice and Hill and told me from the start he wanted to complete before the expected end date,” said Nathan.

“Jack has been true to his word and has consistently been ahead of schedule, with it being quite common for him to be chasing me for more work to do. It came as no surprise to me that Jack has been promoted within the business before completing his course because of how keen he is and how committed he is to improve both himself and the way tasks are completed in the hatchery.”