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.
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."
learndirect scotland was 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. Employers, farmers and land managers, also provided sponsorship, 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 empowering 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."
Sponship funds for this year’s awards saw an increase of over 400% over last year. This 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. Winner of this award was 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. They took 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.
