News and Events

Students make LANTRA Landbased learner of the year finals

Borders College continues to compete strongly in the Annual Lantra Land-based Learner of the Year Awards. This year will be the ninth year the Awards have taken place and Josh Halley and Michael Binnie have been notified that they have been selected as finalists. 

Josh (pictured right) is from Jedburgh Grammar School and attends Borders College Schools Plus Programme and is a finalist in the Rural Skills for Work section. Michael who has completed his Modern Apprenticeship in Mixed Farming at Borders College is a finalist in the Agricultural Section.

Michael (pictured left) has always shown a keen interest in working on the family farming business at Tillmouth on the banks of the river Tweed, which is a prime arable location, producing consistently high yields. Although Michael is primarily interested in the arable operations, he knows that it is important to have an awareness of other types of farming. He has therefore spent time on other farms learning about their sheep and cattle enterprises to gain this extra experience. His goal was to gain entry to the Scottish Agricultural College to continue his studies to degree level and he has achieved this goal.

“He shows a remarkable knowledge of the workings of the farm and has a quiet confidence way beyond his years. I see Michael succeeding the industry and it is so encouraging to see young men like Michael with such a positive attitude to farming” commented Andrew Johnson, Programme Leader in Rural Industries.

Whilst the youngest of the entrants, Josh takes part in land-based activities at Borders College once a week and is keen to make a career in the land-based sector. The Borders College School Plus Programme allows learners to get genuine workbased experience on farms and estates as part of their school curriculum and fits in perfectly with the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’.

Josh has a keen interest in game-keeping and spends all his spare time out at Lothian Estate near Jedburgh. Josh has been grouse beating and regularly goes pheasant-beating at Monteviot, where he also helps with rearing and feeding the game birds.

Head Keeper Ed Bell is very impressed with Josh and sees enormous potential in him. He would like to see Josh as a full-time gamekeeping student at Borders College next session and would be happy to offer him a work placement.

Both finalists will represent Borders College at the forthcoming awards ceremony at Crieff Hydro on the 1st of March.
 

Published: Mon 20th Feb 2012