Inaugural LBEL awards celebrate agricultural learners
© Tim Jervis Professional Photography The inaugural Land-based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards took place last week at Reaseheath College to recognise apprentices and further education students working and studying in land-based and environmental sectors.
The first of its kind, the event was founded by land-based training and qualification awarding body Lantra, and the representative body for land-based colleges and universities, Landex.
See also:Â Is an agricultural degree worth doing?
The organisers received more than 120 nominations across 10 categories, including agriculture and horticulture, forestry, environmental conservation, landscaping, and equine, and a panel of industry professionals picked an outstanding apprentice and an outstanding learner in each category.
Former student of Reaseheath College Cerys Fairclough scooped the Agriculture Learner award, and was also named the overall Learner of the Year 2023.
She said: “I’m absolutely delighted that my skills and achievements in agriculture have been recognised by the highly experienced judges on the panel.
“Having the opportunity to celebrate with my peers and demonstrate to the industry professionals in the audience that the future of the sector is in good hands has been invaluable.”
The two agricultural awards were sponsored by Farmers Weekly and presented by Countryfile presenter Adam Henson.
Millie Francis, an apprentice with Askham Bryan college, was the winner of the Agricultural Apprenticeship category.
Millie Francis receiving her award from Countryfile presenter Adam Henson © Tim Jervis Professional Photography
After accepting her award, she said: “I’m confident that undertaking my agricultural apprenticeship has truly set me on my career path for the future.
“Winning this award has reinforced that I’m actually really good at what I do, and being celebrated by so many industry professionals has certainly given my confidence a boost”.