Inverness trainee runner-up at national awards

31-year-old Annabel Martin from Inverness, was runner-up in the Higher Education category at Lantra Scotland’s Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards 2016. The accolade was presented by previous Horticulture winner Finulla McCloskey at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner on Thursday 3rd March at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel. Annabel is studying for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Forestry at the Scottish School of Forestry, Inverness College UHI. She is a Stock Controller at Christie-Elite Nurseries Ltd where she is responsible for 15 million trees on a 380 acre site. Annabel played a vital role in setting up the first Forestry and Arboriculture Students Association at university and has been put forward as the first student representative on the Highlands and Islands Forestry Forum. Organised by Lantra Scotland, the sector skills council for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental industries, the Learner of the Year Awards are vital for recognising the efforts of trainees, Modern Apprentices, students, pupils, teachers, tutors, training providers and schools involved in the rural industries. The awards also play an important role in encouraging employers to invest in skills for the future, a vital prerequisite to a healthy, vibrant rural sector. As an indication of how the talent pool is growing, this year’s nominations came in from across Scotland, from Shetland to the Borders. The categories for the 2016 awards included the Overall Winner and Runner-up for Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year, the prestigious CARAS Awards, the Modern Apprentice of the Year, the Higher Education Award, the Rural and Urban Secondary Schools Award, Jeans’ Jam Award and industry accolades of trees and timber, agriculture, aquaculture, equine, horticulture, game and wildlife, land-based engineering, fisheries management and environmental conservation. This year’s ceremony was attended by some of the sector’s leading figures and hosted by Jim McLaren, former NFU Scotland President and current Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland. Chair of the independent panel of judges Ray Jones said: “Every year the judges are inspired by the enthusiasm, vitality and determination to succeed from our candidates. These young people are going into tough employment markets and winning or even being short-listed for the Lantra Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards assists that future foothold into a long-term job.” This year’s awards were generously supported by Buccleuch, Skills Development Scotland, Dawnfresh, Forestry Commission Scotland, Marine Harvest, Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Scottish Salmon Company, SRUC, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, CARAS, Easterton Stables, Elspeth Watson, George Linton Memorial Trust, National Farmers Union Scotland and RHASS. Lantra Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. To find out more about the Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards 2016, visit www.lantra.co.uk/scotland/land-based-and-aquaculture-learner-year call 01738 646762 or e-mail scotland@lantra.co.uk.