Outstanding achievement and recognition for two students in the Land-based & Environment Learner Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce our students, Sophie Walker - Veterinary Nurse graduate and Charlie Kifford - Agriculture graduate reached the final for the inaugural Land-based & Environment Learner Awards 2023 Ceremony. With Sophie winning Learner of the Year Award for the Veterinary Nursing category and Charlie as a runner-up for the Agriculture category.

LANTRA and Landex invited both Sophie and Charlie to the prestigious awards ceremony in late November at Reaseheath College, Cheshire and was attended by Minster of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer MP, celebrity farmer Adam Henson, and more than 200 guests.

120 nominees were nominated for the awards from college, universities and employers across England and Northern Ireland. As finalists, both Charlie and Sophie were recognised for their outstanding achievements, following a rigorous judging process chosen by industry and sector experts.

Alan Johnson, Agri-Food & Environment Curriculum Manager who attended the event said; 'It was a great evening, very memorable to celebrate the talent and achievements of young people on the path they are taking to develop their career.'

Sophie was an outstanding student that had a high attendance rate, she excelled in all areas of assessment and achieved highly overall within her Veterinary Nursing qualification. On top of achieving her qualification, Sophie was a pleasure to have here at College, demonstrating all College Values at all times, but particularly a professional approach to her peers and colleagues throughout her training.

Charlie has been the most inspiration learner we have had in the Agriculture department for some time. He has overcome immense personal and academic challenges over the last three years, to achieve a triple Distinction grade, with several additional qualifications. He has progressed and gone on to develop highly regarded employability skills, holding down two jobs, while running his own flock of sheep and studying.

Photographed left to right; Adam Henson and Charlie Kifford