Fonterra Brands Lanka pioneers vocational qualifications in dairy sector

SRI LANKA – Fonterra Brands Lanka, a regional operator of the giant Fonterra, has unveiled a tailor-made National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) curriculum for dairy machine operators, taking a groundbreaking step toward elevating the skills of Sri Lanka’s dairy workforce.

The milestone event was marked by the official handover of the curriculum to Hon. Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, at the headquarters of the Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission (TVEC).

This transformative initiative is the product of a strategic collaboration between Fonterra, NAITA, TVEC, and the Department of Labour, alongside the support of eight other leading industry players: Milco (Pvt) Ltd, Maliban Milk Products (Pvt) Ltd, Richlife Dairies Limited, Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, Chello Dairy Products (Pvt) Ltd, Nestlé Lanka Limited, Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd, and Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC.

Together, these partners have laid the foundation for a nationally recognized training framework that aligns industry expertise with formal vocational standards.

The curriculum is designed to equip machine operators in the dairy sector with the technical knowledge, operational competence, and certification required to drive both productivity and sustainable development across the industry.

By being the first dairy company in Sri Lanka to offer formal NVQ qualifications in this area, Fonterra reinforces its commitment to capacity building, professional growth, and long-term industry resilience.

This forward-looking approach aims to nurture a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern dairy operations.

“We are happy to lead the way in aligning industry expertise with national vocational standards, building a stronger, more skilled workforce and driving sustainable progress across the sector,” the company stated.

Fonterra leads dairy protein innovation for holistic health

Last year, the company pioneered advancements in dairy protein technology to meet the evolving demands of consumers seeking holistic health and wellness solutions.

Dr. Shakti Singh, Category and Innovation Manager for Proteins at Fonterra, emphasized the growing interest in dairy proteins that offer clinically proven health benefits, addressing a range of well-being aspects from muscle recovery to mental health.

“Fonterra’s innovation is driven by consumer preferences for nutritional solutions that cater to holistic well-being, covering brain health, physical well-being, and immunity,” he said.

According to data from Innova Market Insights, there has been a 13% annual growth in supplement and sports nutrition products featuring dairy-based proteins between July 2021 and June 2023.

Fonterra noted that its consumer research highlights time constraints as a major obstacle for consumers in meeting their nutrition objectives.

As a result, consumers are open to incorporating dairy proteins in various forms to enhance overall health.

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