CourseNewsCongratulations to the 12 new feed technology experts!

After ten intensive months of training, 12 experts, 11 men and 1 woman, in compound feed technology have been awarded the Diploma of the renowned Swiss Institute of Feed Technology (SFT). Participants from Switzerland, Germany and Austria took part in the 38th edition of the specialization course. For the first time in the 40-year history of the Diploma course, the best performance was achieved by a woman, Rahel Lehmann from Switzerland.

The 38^th edition of the Diploma course in compound feed technology, which took place from January to October 2022, could be carried out normally after the difficult time of the last two years. We are proud that all 12 participants received their certificates on Friday, October 7^th. During this time the students deepened their knowledge of compound feed production through a combination of in-person tuition, practical’s and self-study. “The 12 new experts are crucial for the industry,” said Reto Mösch, Vice President of the SFT and Head of the Production Department of UFA AG who made the keynote speech at the graduation ceremony.

The graduates of the 38^th Diploma course with their instructors

 

The future managers

“You now have everything in your hands to make precise and efficient progress with the right technology in your company,” said Reto Mösch in his speech, and appealed to the graduates to actively apply their new knowledge.

The importance of the compound feed industry is growing in several countries due to increasing meat consumption. To meet that demand, efficient technologies and know-how are needed for sustainable animal feed production. At the same time, the requirements are also constantly evolving: the demands of customers and end consumers as well as the legal regulations pose ever greater challenges for feed millers. “Training as a feed technician at the School of Feed Technology provides the expert the knowledge needed to successfully master these challenges,” says Lothar Driller, principal of the SFT. The Diploma course covers a broad field, from process technology, animal nutrition, automation, feed mill management to new sensor technologies as a basis for the digitalization of the industry. These skills qualify graduates to take on management tasks and to develop the industry successfully further.

 

The woman that was best in class

Rahel Lehmann works as feed miller at Bachtalmühle in Switzerland and impressed from the beginning with her technical understanding and outstanding results. With a score of 96% (5.8) she was the best performer in her class, and she was honoured with the presentation of the traditional tin plate during the graduation ceremony. Rahel has already passed the final apprenticeship exam as a miller specializing in animal feed in 2018 as the best of her class, receiving a scholarship for a training course at the SFT from Bühler AG.

From the left to the right: Lothar Driller, Managing Director of the SFT · Rahel Lehmann · Philipp Hug, President of the SFT · Reto Mösch Vice President of SFT

Double the load

The training as a feed technician takes place in parallel with professional occupation in the feed industry. The attendance time is eight weeks, divided into two blocks of 4 weeks. Between the teaching blocks, the participants independently complete academic coursework in 21 subject areas. During the two intensive courses, students take a total of 14 written examinations. The two oral examinations on the core topics in front of an expert committee form the highlight and the conclusion phase of each learning block. This requires commitment and focus from the students. Lothar Driller also thanks the employers who have supported the graduates with various means, such as paying the course fee or giving the participants time off from work during the two intensive courses.

Focus on practice

The SFT is an association and recognized by the Association of Swiss Feed Manufacturers (VSF) as a training and further education center. It provides professionals from the animal feed industry and related industries with practical expertise in the production of animal feed. A successful completion of the specialization course provides the graduates with the prerequisite to understand all modern process technologies and processes in a compound feed plant and to apply them efficiently in practice. The international technology company Bühler Group is a partner of SFT. To date, 602 professionals from 73 countries have successfully completed the specialization course in compound feed technology.

The next diploma course in feed technology will start in January 2024 and will be held in English. You find all the information at https://www.sft-uzwil.ch/en/course-offer/diploma-course/.