Top learners from Scotland’s land-based industries were recognised by Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills, in a glittering Awards Ceremony in Dunblane on Thursday 28th February.
The fifth annual Lantra Land-based Learner of the Year Awards were attended by some 150 guests, including employers, farmers, crofters, land managers, training providers and members of Scottish parliament.
Calum MacLeod, a 21 year old agricultural engineer scooped the top prize. A total of 11 prize winners from ages 15-44 from across Scotland, including an equine student from Wick, an aquaculture apprentice from Taynuilt and a gamekeeper from Balmoral Estate, were recognised at the awards ceremony.
Calum of Saline, Fife, who completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Agricultural Engineering with Oatridge College in June 2007, scored a hat trick, taking home three prizes. In addition to the ‘Overall Winner’ prize, Calum, was also awarded the ‘Agriculture Learner of the Year’ and ‘Modern Apprentice of the Year’ titles, receiving a £950 cash prize and the Peter Alexander Perpetual Trophy.
Entries doubled for this year’s awards, which are organised by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries. The awards are judged by an independent employer panel of employers which is chaired by Peter Alexander of Algo.
Maureen Watt MSP said “The Scottish Government is committed to developing lifelong skills and making Scotland’s skills base truly world class. We support the work of Lantra, who are playing an important role in providing training and improving skills for the land-based sector.
“I am very encouraged by the high calibre of nominees received for these awards, while I congratulate Calum and all of the winners.”
William Fergusson, Lantra’s National Director for Scotland, said: “It is vital for the future of these industries that we continue to attract the high calibre of candidates demonstrated this evening. To do this, we must raise awareness of the many challenging and diverse career and training opportunities across Scotland. There are highly skilled jobs with real career progression on offer to new entrants of all ages.”
learndirect scotland were the principal sponsor of the awards this year with major sponsorship also provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, The Cadogan Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland. The annual awards are also sponsored by employers, farmers and land managers, demonstrating the commitment of industry to training and the awards.
Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of learndirect scotland, said: “We are delighted to be principal sponsor of the Lantra Land-based Learner Awards. At learndirect scotland we are constantly looking at ways in which we can assist employers with the critical task of developing their employees and empower individuals by facilitating access to learning. By working in partnership with their industry representatives, we can remain confident that the service we offer will meet the needs of the industry and ensure a skilled and competitive workforce throughout Scotland.”
This year’s awards have seen an increase of over 400% in sponsorship funds. This has supported the introduction of several new prizes, including industry specific prizes and a ‘Higher Education Learner of the Year’ prize, reflecting the numbers of new entrants opting for the higher education route into the sector. This prize was awarded to 28 year old Claire Convery of Troon who is studying for a BSc in Agriculture with Scottish Agricultural College.
Ashleigh Campbell, an equine student from Caithness, was Overall Runner-up and Regional Winner for Highlands and Islands Area while Daniel McGarrell, a trainee greenkeeper with South Lanarkshire Council, was awarded the ‘Scottish Enterprise Learner of the Year’ prize.
Duncan Chapman from Aboyne and Grant Symmers from Kinlochleven, both 15, were the youngest winners, taking home the ‘Land-based Curriculum for Schools Learner of the Year’ and ‘Land-based Curriculum for Schools Learner of the Year – runner-up’ prizes respectively.
The winners
Overall Winner Land-based Learner of the Year:
Calum MacLeod from Saline Fife. Modern Apprenticeship in Agricultural Engineering with Oatridge College
Overall runner-up Land-based Learner of the Year:
Ashleigh Campbell from Caithness. Higher National Diploma in Equine with North Highland College
Highlands and Islands Area Learner of the Year: Ashleigh Campbell from Caithness. Higher National Diploma in Equine with North Highland College
Scottish Enterprise Learner of the Year:
Daniel McGarrell from Biggar, Modern Apprenticeship in Sports Turf with Oatridge College
Modern Apprentice of the Year:
Calum MacLeod from Saline Fife. Modern Apprenticeship in Agricultural Engineering with Oatridge College
Agriculture Learner of the Year:
Calum MacLeod from Saline Fife. Modern Apprenticeship in Agricultural Engineering with Oatridge College
Aquaculture Learner of the Year:
Jamie McKinnon from Taynuilt. SVQ Level 2 in Aquaculture with the Seafield Centre, Inverness College
Fisheries Management Learner of the Year:
Keith Dean from Inverness. National Certificate in Fisheries Management with the Seafield Centre, Inverness College
Equine Learner of the Year:
Ashleigh Campbell from Caithness. Higher National Diploma in Equine with North Highland College
Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year:
Ross Mackay from Balmoral, Higher National Certificate in Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management with North Highland College
Trees and Timber Learner of the Year:
Graeme Urquhart from Inverness. Modern Apprenticeship in Trees and Timber with the Forestry Commission Scotland
Horticulture Learner of the Year:
Daniel McGarrell from Biggar, Modern Apprenticeship in Sports Turf with Oatridge College
Higher Education Learner of the Year:
Claire Convery from Troon. BSc in Agriculture with Scottish Agricultural College
Higher Education Learner of the Year – runner-up:
Alison Mackie from Alford. BA (Hons) Rural Business Management with Scottish Agricultural College
Land-based Curriculum for Schools Learner of the Year:
Duncan Chapman from Aboyne, Scottish Progression Award (SPA) in Rural Skills with Aboyne Academy /Alford Academy and Scottish Agricultural College
Land-based Curriculum for Schools Learner of the Year – runner-up:
Grant Symmers from KinlichlevenSkills for Work in Rural Skills with Kinlochleven High School/Lochaber High School and Corrour Estate
This year's sponsors were:
