Horticulture trainees shortlisted for Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS 22
Five trainees from the horticulture industry have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s much-anticipated Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS). The winners will be announced at a prestigious gala dinner and award ceremony on Thursday 3rd March at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro.
The finalists are: Ellen Anderson, Eloise Fenton, Brogan Noble, Natalia Reifart-Bieganowska and Daisy Wright.
Ellen aged 16 and Brogan aged 15, have completed a Grow and Learn Certificate from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society at Meldrum Academy in Aberdeenshire. Ashley Carstairs, a teacher from Meldrum Academy said:
“When Ellen started working in the garden, she was quite anxious but as routines were established and she felt more comfortable, her confidence has flourished. She is very supportive in the garden and will always try to support others when they need some help.”
“Brogan is a hands-on, practical pupil. It has been an honour and a privilege to watch her gain experience and appreciation for nature and the outdoors.”
Eloise, aged 28 from Shawhill in Glasgow, has completed a National Certificate in Horticulture and Horticultural Therapy at Glasgow Clyde College. She said:
“My interest in plants and the natural world is what first attracted me to this industry. Switching careers from working as a doctor to a horticulturalist has been a challenge, but I’m enjoying the prospect of working in a job with both theoretical and practical elements, and that offers opportunities for travel and exploration.”
Natalia, aged 34 from Paisley, has completed a National Certificate in Landscape Design through Glasgow Clyde College. She said:
“I have a small garden at home, and when I started planning building our patio and furniture, that’s when I realised this is what I want to do in my life. I applied to college for horticulture and I want to have enough knowledge and skills to work in this industry.”
Daisy, aged 36 from Edinburgh, has completed an HNC in Landscape Management and Horticulture at Historic Environment Scotland through SRUC Oatridge. She said:
“I feel for the first time that I’m making leaps in my career following the completion of my apprenticeship. I was awarded student of the year in both the SVQ2 and HNC, as I took these courses very seriously and worked hard to get the best possible grades. My future ambitions are to continue to grow and learn.”
Lantra Scotland is the sector skills council for land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries and the ALBAS play a vital role in promoting rural careers, celebrating the achievements of learners, and highlighting the importance to employers of investing in skills.Hosting the ALBAS for the evening will be farmer and stand-up comedian Jim Smith.
Industry categories at the awards cover agriculture, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber.
As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there are also prizes for Higher Education, School Pupil and Secondary Schools, CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies), Jean’s Jam for inspirational tutor, the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner, and the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working.
The finalists for ALBAS 2022 were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, chaired by Keith Paterson of Forestry and Land Scotland.
Liz Barron-Majerik, Director of Lantra Scotland commented:
“It is a privilege to be able to name the finalists for our 2022 ALBAS, especially in this, the twentieth year the awards have been running. Since they were first launched, there have been over 1000 nominees and 300 finalists from across our industries. The ALBAS have become well-known for highlighting the achievements of new entrants and career changers in our sector, as well as promoting skills development and effective partnership working. As well as congratulating the finalists, I’d also like to say well done to everyone who was nominated, whether they have made it to the later stages of our awards or not. They should be very proud of this recognition. We are also very grateful to the independent and experienced panel of industry figures who do the judging, to training providers and employers who submit the nominations, and of course to all of our generous supporters”.
Tickets for the evening are available from Lantra Scotland by calling 01738 310164 or emailing scotland@lantra.co.uk.
Lantra’s work in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.