FINALISTS have just been shortlisted for this years' Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills – the ALBAS.

Lantra Scotland is a charity which works to increase the number and diversity of employees in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation sector, and drive their skills development.

The ALBAS play a vital role in promoting careers within the rural sector, celebrating the achievements of learners and highlighting the importance to employers of investing in skills. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 9, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Dunblane Hydro. Host for the evening will be sheep farmer, Cammy Wilson, from Ayrshire, who also runs popular Youtube channel The Sheep Game.

Lantra represents the skills interests of land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation businesses and organisations across Scotland and the UK. We promote the economic and environmental benefits of investing in skills, help to inform policies, provision and funding, and publicise the diverse careers available in the sector. Lantra also operates a commercial awarding organisation and network of training providers and instructors.

Industry categories at this year’s ALBAS cover agriculture, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber. Finalists for ALBAS 2023 were selected 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.

Trainees Danny Cook, Jack Forsyth, Max Morrison, Naomi Ramsay and Nia Hunter have been short-listed from the agricultural industry in this year's cohort of finalists.

Danny, from St Andrews, in Fife, has been doing an SVQ in Land-based engineering and agricultural machinery through SRUC Oatridge, while training as an agricultural engineer at R and R Machinery, in Cupar.

He said: “I have always had a practical mind, so when I saw a workshop assistant job advertised, I thought I should jump at the chance. The thing I find most satisfying about my job is being able to confidently diagnose and repair a customer's tractor when it is broken down. It is very rewarding.”

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Jack, from East Linton, in East Lothian, is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture through Borders College, while working for Bielgrange, in Dunbar.

He said: “The great thing about agriculture is the opportunity to spend most of your working day outdoors. I also feel I am part of a very close-knit group and involved in one of the most important industries in the world.”

Max Morrison, from Stonehouse, in Lanarkshire, has been doing an SVQ in Land-based Engineering Ground Care through SRUC Oatridge, while working as an Apprentice Engineer for the Hamilton Ross Group, in Renfrewshire.

He said: “I was first interested in the industry because of my dad who has been involved in land-based engineering for more than 25 years. I find being able to solve a problem and see the job finished very satisfying. It's great making the customer happy with the finished product.”

Naomi Ramsay, from East Lothian, has been doing an HND in Agriculture through SRUC Oatridge.

She said: “My initial interest in farming lay with livestock. Coupling a ewe with a lamb that is not her own is very rewarding. Turning out that ewe with her adopted lamb to the field, will always be the most satisfying part of the job to me.”

Nia Hunter, from Weisdale, in Shetland, has been doing an SVQ in Agriculture through UHI Shetland, while working as an apprentice for A and D Hunter, Scatsta Farm, on Shetland.

She said: “I grew up with a strong interest in farming. I love seeing new life and seeing the animals happily going about their business. The arable side of the business is also great to be a part of. It is very satisfying seeing the ground thriving and improving each year through the production of grass and crops.”

Speaking of this years ALBAS, director of Lantra Scotland, Liz Barron-Majerik, said: “We are all very proud of the role that the ALBAS play in highlighting the achievements of new entrants and career changers in our sector, and in showing people the benefits of skills development and partnership working.

I’d especially like to congratulate this year’s finalists who are going through to the ALBAS ceremony in March and wish them good luck but would also like to say well done to everyone who was nominated, as that in itself is worthy of recognition.

We are also very grateful to the independent 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 who make our event possible."