Fish farm trainees shortlisted for Lantra awards
Trainees from three aquaculture companies have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills, known as the ALBAS.
Scottish Sea Farms, Cooke Aquaculture and Bakkafrost will all be represented at the awards event, which will take place at the Crieff Hydro on Thursday 7 March 2024.
Hamish MacLean (pictured, above) from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull has completed his SCQF Level 9 in Aquaculture Management at UHI Shetland while working as an Area Manager for Bakkafrost.
He said: “I enjoyed working on boats and on water in previous jobs. Scottish Salmon Company (now Bakkafrost Scotland) had just installed a new farm right in front of my house. I met with the manager and the rest is history!”
Craig Grounds from Oban in Argyll and Bute has completed his Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working as an Assistant Site Manager at Scottish Sea Farms.
He said: “Coming from the north east of England, I had never seen or heard of salmon farming. When I relocated here and spoke to people about it, I knew it would be the job for me. Being out in nature, weather and the physicality of the work really appeals to me. I have loved every minute so far.”
Craig Grounds, Scottish Sea Farms
Stuart Lavender from Mossbank in Shetland has completed his MA Level 2 in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working as a Site Assistant at Cooke Aquaculture.
He said: “Getting into aquaculture has opened my eyes to how many different sectors and opportunities there are. Doing my SVQ level 2 and 3 has given me the knowledge and understanding, improving and pushing forward my career in aquaculture.”
The ALBAS were created to promote careers within the rural sector, celebrate the achievements of learners and highlight the importance to employers of investing in skills.
Host for the evening will be the “Red Shepherdess”, otherwise known as Hannah Jackson, a farmer, public speaker, writer, adventurer and photographer.
Industry categories at this year’s ALBAS cover agriculture, animal care, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber.
As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there are also awards for Higher Education, School Pupil and Secondary Schools, CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies), a Mentor award for inspirational tutor, the Tam Tod Trophy and the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working.
Finalists for ALBAS 2024 were selected by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sectors, chaired by Keith Paterson of Forestry and Land Scotland. Bringing his horticultural expertise to the panel for the first time this year is David Knott, Curator of Living Collections, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Director of Lantra Scotland commented: “Our ALBAS have an important role to 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 would like to say a heartfelt congratulations to every one of this year’s finalists and wish them good luck at the ALBAS ceremony in March, but I’d also like to say a big ‘well done’ to all of our nominees. We had a record number of nominations which were of a very high standard indeed.
“We are also grateful to the independent industry figures who are our judges, to training providers and employers who submit the nominations, and of course to all our generous supporters who make our event possible”.
Tickets for the awards ceremony are available from Lantra Scotland which can be contacted on 01738 310164 or via email to scotland@lantra.co.uk
Stuart Lavender, Cooke Aquaculture
