Lantra Scotland is on the hunt for nominations for the Land-based and Aquaculture of the Year Awards.
The skills council is calling for nominations for the awards which aim to celebrate the achievements of young people and new entrants embarking on careers in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and equine.
“The Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year are the only vehicle we have as an industry to reward and celebrate the efforts of our learners and encourage more people to take an interest in land-based careers,” said Lantra Scotland’s interim director Kevin Patrick.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to put forward your nominees and give them the recognition they deserve. If you have a modern apprentice working for you, a student or someone in vocational training that you believe is an inspiration to others in terms of their commitment, skills and work ethic, then please put them forward for nomination.”
He said land-based, environmental and aquaculture industries were key to providing the raw materials for Scotland’s multi-billion pound food and drink sector as well as the construction, land management and conservation sectors.
“These important industries cannot survive without well-trained, highly skilled people, but with an ageing workforce threatening the long-term viability of many sectors, this is becoming an increasing challenge,” added Mr Patrick.
“That’s why it is vitally important that we work with employers to promote the many exciting opportunities there are in land-based, environmental or aquaculture sectors for young people and career changers.”
Last year’s agriculture learner of the year award went to Cameron Smith from Doune, who gained an HNC in agriculture at SRUC’s Oatridge campus and is currently on an SVQ level 2 modern apprenticeship in agriculture with employer J.H. and N.T. Turnbull, of Meadowend, Clackmannan.
He said: “The apprenticeship gives me all the hands-on experience I need, while the bookwork keeps me in touch with Oatridge, so I can work towards some other qualifications.
“At this stage it’s all about continuing my education and training, to build up my knowledge and skills and learn as much about every aspect of agriculture that I can.
Following that, my ambition is to be self-employed and run my own agricultural business.” Nominations for the awards must be submitted by Friday November 7.
Nominees for each category will then be shortlisted with the winners announced at an awards ceremony in March 2015.