The Apprentice: Dorcas Olawunmi Olayioye

Dorcas Olawunmi Olayioye was placed as a food safety and product development apprentice at Fastizers Foods and Confectionery Ltd in Nigeria.

As an enthusiastic food science (MSc) graduate with limited manufacturing experience, she found that the apprenticeship allowed her to apply her academic training in food safety, research and development, product formulation and optimization, market research, sensory testing, surveys, packaging development, and the use of Microsoft Office tools. She also gained a deeper understanding of the complex balance between profit-making and maintaining food quality and safety in a manufacturing environment.

During her apprenticeship, she was tasked with improving Fastizers’ hygiene culture. With strong support and clear guidance from management, she successfully led and facilitated the development of a facility-specific sanitation program while monitoring and training employees—efforts she carried out despite challenging economic factors.

She received immense support from PFS’ Program Director Vivian Maduekeh, who was always accessible and offered valuable learning opportunities. Vivian provided the technical resources Dorcas needed to succeed and served as a mentor, helping her navigate the balance between her passion for food safety and the economic realities of food manufacturing. Her line manager, Samuel Oparinde, also played a pivotal role by helping her build confidence in product development.

The year-long experience gave her a comprehensive foundation for navigating the food industry as a food scientist. Though intense, it offered her the chance to “fly,” demonstrating her theoretical knowledge and skills and leaving a sustainable impact on the company. In the years since, she has continued to build on the skills, knowledge, and relationships gained through the program—growth that has led to her current role as a sanitation supervisor at The Little Potato Company in Canada.