Search for Scotlands Top Aquaculture Learners

Lantra is urging employers, training providers, colleges, universities and schools to nominate employees or students who have shown outstanding commitment to training through their hard work and determination.

Lantra’s National Director for Scotland, Willie Fergusson said: “Lantra’s Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year awards is a wonderful opportunity to show new entrants the rewarding and diverse careers the sector offers, and encourages people of all ages to consider a career in the sector. The land-based industries offer new entrants excellent quality of learning to develop their skills, comparable with other sectors. The awards demonstrate how employers can benefit from the high levels of skills within the workforce, skills that lead to increased productivity and profitability which can help create a sustainable business in this challenging financial climate.”

This year entrants from schools, those in higher education and those in work-based vocational learning are invited to compete for 13 titles. Previous winner, Darren Broadley from Avonbridge, who is currently employed with John Pollock and Sons, secured the Land-based Learner of the Year Award after showing his enthusiasm and commitment for the job.

Hilary Morton from Oatridge College who nominated Darren said: “Darren showed an insatiable appetite for work; his wide knowledge of the industry and his determination to become the best farmer he could be all made him worthy of this award.”

The prize categories for the 2010 awards include: ‘Overall Winner Scottish Land-based Learner of the Year’, ‘Higher Education Learner of the Year’ and ‘Environmental and Land-based Modern Apprentice of the Year’, as well as the ‘Skills for Work or Scottish/National Progression Award’. There are also eight individual sector awards: Agriculture, Trees and Timber, Aquaculture, Environmental Conservation, Fisheries Management, Game and Wildlife, Equine and Horticulture.

Willie concluded: “The awards are a fantastic way to recognise the contribution from all of the learners in the industry, and how the sector can benefit from a skilled workforce. Each year Lantra and its panel of judges are very impressed with the quality of hard work and enterprise demonstrated by the nominees. Once again, Lantra is looking forward to discovering Scotland’s talent who will become valuable members of the future workforce.”