Horticulture trainees Brooke McKenzie and John Boyd have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards and will find out if they have won at a ceremony in the Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel on Thursday 2 March 2017.
21-year-old Brooke, from Croftfoot in Glasgow, is doing a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 2 in Horticulture through Daldowie Training Centre, while working for the Southside Housing Association in Glasgow. After completing her course, she hopes to secure a full-time job with Southside Housing, learning more about different approaches to horticulture around the world.
Brooke said: “I was chuffed to get nominated in the first place and now I’m even prouder to get through to the final. Everyone at my work has been wishing me good luck and now I’m really looking forward to going along to the awards to see how I get on.”
John, aged 25 from Port Glasgow, is doing an SVQ Level 2 in Horticulture through Glasgow Clyde College, while working as a gardener for In-Work Enterprise. John came onto the project through a scheme called Future Jobs, part of the Inverclyde Community Development Trust Programme. After completing his Level 3 Parks Gardens and Green Space qualification and PA1 and PA6, his dream is to broaden his knowledge of the horticulture industry in other locations.
The Learner of the Year Awards, organised by Lantra Scotland, the sector skills council for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental industries, are now in their 15th year of celebrating the achievements of trainees within Scotland’s rural sector and encouraging employers to invest in the next generation of talent.
One of the major highlights of this year’s awards will be a keynote address from farmer and TV presenter, Adam Henson. who began his television career in 2001, when he was chosen from 3,500 applicants to be a presenter for BBC Countryfile.
Finalists in the 2017 Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards are vying for 13 categories, including: agriculture, aquaculture, equine, horticulture, game and wildlife, trees and timber, land-based engineering, fisheries management and environmental conservation industries as well as the Modern Apprentice of the Year, Rural Schools, Higher Education and CARAS Awards.
The top accolades of the night will be the much coveted Overall Winner and Runner-up prizes. Last year’s winner was talented young game keeper and Shinty player, Savio Genini, with Trees and Timber apprentice Sean Donaghy taking the runner up spot. These awards recognise learners with exceptional talent and willingness to learn and are amongst the most prestigious in the country.
The Modern Apprentice of the Year and the winners of the prestigious CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies) awards will also be announced on the night. CARAS was established by the UK’s four national agricultural societies, including the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland. It aims to recognise, through an awards scheme, distinguished achievements in agriculture and related land-based industries.
A newcomer to the Lantra event in 2017 will be the Tam Tod Trophy, awarded in association with Countryside Learning Scotland to an outstanding young learner. The award was created in memory of the late Tam Tod, described as a well-loved gamekeeper, ghillie and lifelong friend of the countryside.
Jean’s Jam Award, now in its third year, will also be announced on the night. Donated by training instructor Elspeth Watson in memory of her friend, Jean Costello, this award recognises the most inspiring mentor, teacher or trainer. It was won last year by Scott Mason of Stirling Council Fisheries.
The finalists for the 2017 learner of the year awards were chosen by a judging panel of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sectors. The 2017 judges are: Ray Jones, former Chairman of Scotland Food & Drink, agriculture and rural affairs journalist Erika Hay, Keith Paterson of Forestry Commission Scotland, farmer Keith Redpath, Lisa Connell of The Scottish Salmon Company and Rebecca Dawes of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs.
Kevin Patrick, director of Lantra Scotland commented: “We are delighted to announce our finalists for the Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards 2017 and are extremely grateful to the independent panel of judges and to the training providers and employers for all their hard work. These awards continue to play an important role in communicating and celebrating the value of gaining qualifications, developing skills and improving standards. All of our nominees, whether selected as finalists or not, should be extremely proud of their achievements and we all look forward to celebrating their success in the DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro on Thursday 2nd March.”
Tickets for the evening are available from Lantra on 01738 310164 or scotland@lantra.co.uk. See www.lantra.co.uk/Scotland/tickets Lantra Scotland is on Twitter and Facebook as @LantraScotland.
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