I studied for a Brewing & Distilling Degree at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Part of my degree course involved a one year placement with Fuller’s before my final year. On completion of the course I was offered the opportunity to join the junior brewer’s programme – which I accepted.

My role
Since joining Fuller’s I have worked in all parts of the brewery process (brewing, fermentation, maturation and conditioning/filtration). The junior brewer programme also involved stints in the laboratory and in bottling. I was able to use my knowledge and training to take the Bottling Team Leader’s job in November 2008 and started my current role, at the front end of the brewing process once more, in March 2010.

As most people will tell you, at Fuller’s there is never really a typical day in my role. On any given day I can be doing anything from checking and planning the amounts and movements of the beers to mashing in at 4.30am, or finishing off the day’s brewing at 8pm. The rest of my time I spend working on projects to improve and facilitate the workings of the plant.  This usually involves working closely with the brewing team, as well as the operations and engineering teams.

I also have a small team of two Junior Brewers for whom I am in charge of their development, which allows me to pass on what I learned and gained from the programme myself.

Training
Learning is a key part of your career at Fuller’s. As part of the junior brewer programme I received training through all parts of the plant, from brewing the beer to preparing for packaging to packaging for final packing. I have also completed several external courses in my short time here, including the
ILM Team Leader and First Line Management courses, Greencore (now Boortmalt) malting course and a Krones labeller course.

As well as formal training courses, you quickly get a sense of the history of the company and the changes it has been through. Your induction is quite thorough and includes colleagues from all parts of the business, and it is from those people that you pick up the sense of pride that resonates through the place.

Working for Fuller’s
Enthusiasm and a positive attitude to work are key attributes for anyone wishing to join Fuller’s. Your communication, flexibility and problem solving skills will most certainly be put to the test. In return, Fuller’s offers a good atmosphere and the opportunity to develop and progress your skills. There are always plenty of chances to meet other Fuller’s workers through organised social and commercial events. It’s great when you meet a member of the public at, say, a beer festival, and alongside you answering their questions is someone from Finance or the IT depertment. It really shows the customers that we care about the company we work for.

Aside from all this there’s always the allowance for the Brewery Shop!