McDonald's has partnered with Dorchester's Kingston Maurward Collage for a new pilot programme allowing students to experience a career in food and farming.

'Reframing Nature' involved 11 students from St Thomas More School in Walsall, West Midlands, swap their classroom for the countryside as they learnt more about pursuing careers in the land-based sector, which included hands on experience at a McDonald's flagship organic dairy farm in Sherborne.

The pilot, set over three days, was hosted by Kingston Maurward Collage and local McDonald's franchisee Chris Truscott, enabled students to take part in a variety of practical activities at the college, teaching them more about animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

Frances Jenkins, careers and industry lead at Kingston Maurward College, said: "Encouraging young, diverse talent to consider land-based careers is so important for the future of this industry, which is why we're proud to be involved in this 'Reframing Nature' pilot programme. 

"To be able to provide students from urban backgrounds with an experience of the sector, and to shine a light on the sorts of careers available within it, is just brilliant and we hope initiatives like this inspire more people to consider a role within land-based industries in future."

During the visit, students also heard from the McDonald's supply chain team and one of the brand's long-term dairy suppliers to understand more about working in the food and farming industry and completed the farm to front counter experience with a behind the scenes tour of the Dorchester McDonald's restaurant.

Chris Truscott, Dorset McDonald's franchisee, said: "The food and farming sectors are a huge part of community life in my home of Dorset. Therefore, it was important to me to spearhead this initiative with McDonald's to show young people from other parts of the country what careers in this sector, and across the McDonald's supply chain, can look like. The more young people we can engage in these careers, whatever their background, the stronger our industry will be in future - from farm to front counter."

McDonald's and Kingston Maurward College are piloting this programme to help inspire young people from urban backgrounds, who may not traditionally consider a career in food and farming, to think about a role in the industry.

The initiative is part of McDonald's commitment to kick-start over 100 careers in the industry for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Millie Avery, a student from St Thomas More School said of her experience: "I've really enjoyed the past few days, learning more about the wide range of roles within the food and farming industry, and getting the chance to see a McDonald's dairy farm.

"Coming from a town in the Midlands, being out on farm and getting a behind the scenes look at a supply chain has been amazing. I'd say it's opened my eyes to other careers I wouldn't necessarily have thought of, too."