FIVE TRAINEES from the agriculture industry have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s much-anticipated Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills – the ALBAS.

Those agri-finalists are – Amy Lochhead, Shauna Murdie, Robbie Gray, Reiss Gordon and Ian Armstrong.

  • Amy Lochhead, aged 18 from North Berwick, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Agriculture at Carcant Farm, through Borders College. She said: “I was brought up in a seaside town far away from the rural life that I craved. Since I was young, I’ve had an affinity for all animals and had a need to care for them.”
  • Shauna Murdie, aged 20 from Jedburgh, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Agriculture at South Riccalton Farm, through Border College. She said: “I took the apprenticeship to develop my knowledge of the business and finance side of agriculture. This will prepare me for a management role, which I hope to achieve in in future.”
  • Robbie Gray, aged 18 from Lanark, has been doing an SVQ Level 3 in Land-based Engineering at Ross of Lanark, through SRUC Oatridge. He said: “From a young age, I have had a keen interest in farm machinery due to my dad’s agricultural background. Working within an industry which is quickly moving forward, is an exciting and privileged position to be in.”
  • Reiss Gordon, aged 20 from Kirkcaldy, has been doing an SVQ Level 3 in Land-based Engineering at Netherton Tractors, through SRUC Oatridge. He said: “Throughout high school, my main interest was always technology and mechanics. These were subjects I enjoyed the most. When offered the chance to begin this apprenticeship, I couldn’t say no.”
  • Ian Armstrong, aged 22 from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, has been doing a BA (Hons) in Rural Business Management at SRUC Craibstone. He said: “Working in the agricultural industry involves long hours, but this is something I enjoy. I see farming as an opportunity to get back what I put in, which has motivated me. On a farm, there’s always investment and improvements to consider.”

Lantra Scotland is the sector skills council for land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries – and the ALBAS celebrate the achievements of the rural learners under its remit, while highlighting how important it is that employers invest in skills.

Alongside agriculture, the ALBAS finalists come from a range of rural industries, including animal care, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber.

  • Alex Patterson, aged 21 from Blairgowrie, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 3 in Trees and Timber with Forestry and Land Scotland, through the Scottish School of Forestry;
  • Callum Duggan, aged 25 from Kilmun in Argyll and Bute, has been doing an Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 7 in Aquaculture at Cooke Aquaculture, through NAFC Marine Centre;
  • David McMillan, aged 26 from Tomatin, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship SCQF Level 6 in Trees and Timber at Forestry and Land Scotland, through the Scottish School of Forestry;
  • Falkirk High School;
  • Guy Tindall, aged 41 from Burra in Shetland, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 3 in Aquaculture at Greig Seafood Shetland, through NAFC Marine Centre;
  • Kimberly Gallacher, aged 21 from Greenock, has been doing an NC in Horse Care at SRUC Oatridge;
  • Lucy Philip, aged 22 from Bonnyrigg, has been doing an HND in Equine Studies at SRUC Oatridge;
  • Meldrum Academy, Aberdeenshire;
  • Martin Collie Stewart, aged 18 from Rosshall Academy in Glasgow, has been doing an NPA in Horticulture with Glasgow Clyde College;
  • Matthew Houston, aged 18 from Rosshall Academy in Glasgow, has been doing an NPA Skills for Work qualification at Glasgow Clyde College;
  • Maureen Brown, aged 33 from Galashiels, has been doing an SVQ Level 3 in Parks, Gardens and Green Spaces at James Gardening and Landscaping, through Borders College;
  • Morag Williams, aged 37 from Pathhead, Midlothian, has been doing an SVQ Level 5 and NPA Level 6 in Horse Care at Borders College;
  • Natalia Reifart-Bieganowska, aged 33 from Paisley, has been doing an SVQ Level 1 and NPA at SCQF Level 4 in Horticulture at Glasgow Clyde College;
  • Nial Provan, aged 21 from Tillicoultry, has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills at the Callander Youth Project Trust, through SRUC Oatridge;
  • Susan Turner, aged 54, from Galashiels, has done an NC in Animal Care at Borders College.

As well as prizes for overall winner, runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there will also be the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working, awards for Higher Education, School Pupil and Secondary Schools, Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies, Jean’s Jam for inspirational tutor and the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner.

Director of Lantra Scotland, Liz Barron-Majerik, said: “I’m delighted to announce the finalists for our 2021 ALBAS. As well as showcasing the achievements of new entrants and career changers in our sector, they also promote qualifications and skills development across our sector. It’s important to remember that everyone who was nominated, whether they have become finalists or not, should be very proud of this recognition. Although this year’s ceremony will be online, we’re still planning on making it a virtual night to remember for all our finalists.”

“We are also very grateful to the independent panel of judges, training providers and employers for their contributions, and of course to all of our generous sponsors.”

Forestry and Land Scotland's Keith Paterson, who chaired the independent judging panel, said: “As judges for the ALBAS, we are extremely impressed with the high quality of the nominees this year. We all find it very rewarding to interview them and learn more about their inspirational stories. Getting to this stage in the ALBAS reflects the high value we place on our finalists as representatives of their industries. It’s exciting to see such a range of talent and enthusiasm coming through across Scotland, as it will strengthen our rural sector for the future.”

The awards ceremony will be broadcast on social media at 7pm on Thursday March 4, and the finalists will be sent a link in advance. To find out more, call 01738 310164 or email scotland@lantra.co.uk. Lantra’s work in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.