Apprenticeships: a ladder to career success - Alan Baxter
To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 2 to 6 March, we are highlighting the journeys of six former apprentices who have built remarkable paths in the food & drink sector.
We asked each of them six key questions to uncover how their apprenticeship has provided the foundation for their success.
Alan Baxter, Managing Director, Rowan Glen
“Food and drink offers huge opportunities beyond what people expect. It’s a varied, essential, innovative sector where young people can develop quickly, move across departments and build long, rewarding careers in Scotland.”
The starting point: what first attracted you to an apprenticeship in the food and drink industry, and what was your very first role?
I entered food and drink straight from school after seeing an advert for trainee laboratory assistants at Lockerbie Creamery.
I wasn’t very focused academically, but I enjoyed science and practical work. The role let me learn while gaining real experience through the YTS (youth training scheme) apprenticeship scheme. It was my first proper step into the industry.
The learning curve: what was the most valuable skill you learned as an apprentice that you still use in your work today?
The biggest skill I learned was how to work properly in a busy professional environment.
The lab work - chemical and microbiological testing, hygiene checks, boiler and effluent testing - gave me a solid understanding of dairy processing.
It was varied, hands-on, and taught me discipline, teamwork and the fundamentals of running a safe, high-quality food operation.
The career ladder: can you briefly describe your journey from apprentice to your current position?
After my apprenticeship, I completed an HND and a degree while working in production.
I progressed through roles in quality, environmental management and production leadership with Nestlé, Graham’s Family Dairy, and seafood producer Pinneys.
My training and experience really came into play during my two spells with Rowan Glen, firstly as Production Manager and Factory Manager from 2005-2014 and when I returned to as site lead in 2018. Rowan Glen is a yogurt producer located in Palnure on the edge of Galloway Forest. We’ve been producing yogurt for over 30 years in the region, making it the longest established yogurt manufacturing sites in Scotland.
After its closure in 2022 under former ownership, I secured investment to buy the site and relaunch the business. Now as Managing Director, I focus on rebuilding the brand and developing our team.
The industry impact: why do you think the food and drink sector offers such a strong career path for ambitious young people in Scotland?
Food and drink offers huge opportunities beyond what people expect.
Alongside production roles, there are careers in engineering, quality, planning, purchasing, administration, sales and marketing. With robotics and automation, roles are becoming increasingly skilled.
It’s a varied, essential, innovative sector where young people can develop quickly, move across departments and build long, rewarding careers in Scotland.
The myth-buster: what is one thing you would say to a parent or teacher who thinks apprenticeships are a “second-best” option to university?
Apprenticeships are not second best. They offer paid experience, valuable qualifications and skills employers need.
Two of our current apprentices study through the Open University while gaining hands-on training and earning a good wage.
With real skills shortages, apprenticeships are essential - and often lead to faster, more practical progression than going straight to university.
The future: what is your ultimate career goal, and how did your apprenticeship give you the foundation to reach it?
I’m happy where I am for now, but my apprenticeship was the foundation for everything.
The hands-on experience helped me stand out after university and gave me a real understanding of how a factory operates - from the shop floor to the boardroom.
If you don’t understand the basics, you are forced to rely too much on others. Those early days gave me the confidence and capability to lead.
Voices of experience
The campaign is part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2–6 March 2026) and aims to show that an apprenticeship is an effective ladder to a successful, long-term career.
Our case studies feature a diverse group of professionals at various stages of their careers:
Alan Baxter: managing director, Rowan Glen
Victor West: CEO of Macsween Allan Food Group and non-exec director at Associated Seafoods
Gordon Newlands: brand development manager, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)
Robbie Hughan: assessor, Craft Skills Scotland
Donald McInnes: food and nutritionist, West Dunbartonshire Council
Lauren Boyer: quality and technical apprentice and marketing assistant, Rowan Glen
The stories of these individuals show that an apprenticeship is not just a route to a first job, but the foundation of a lifelong career. It develops the key transferrable skills needed to progress in life.
There are many exciting reasons to work in food and drink. It’s rewarding, you can make a difference and there truly is a job for everyone. Whatever the uncertainties about the years ahead, people will always want to eat and drink – and to eat and drink well. There will always be careers to get your teeth into.
An apprenticeship is the perfect entry point for those looking to build a secure and successful future in this vital industry.
Want more inspiration about a career in food & drink in Scotland? Watch this short film or visit our career information resource.