Prime 11 in ALBAS final

_{Agriculture student Katrina Coutts is one of ten SRUC finalists in the ALBAS}

Eleven SRUC students and apprentices from a range of subjects and campuses have been selected as finalists in this year’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS).

They make up almost half of Scotland’s top 23 trainees and rural learners shortlisted for the awards organised by Lantra Scotland - a charity which works to increase the number and diversity of employees in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation sector.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by farmer, public speaker, writer, adventurer and photographer Hannah Jackson – also known as the Red Shepherdess - at the Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 7 March.

Industry categories at the ALBAS cover agriculture, animal care, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber.

Finalist Katrina Coutts, from Wethersta in Shetland, completed her HND in Agriculture at SRUC Oatridge while working as a Livestock Yardsman for Shetland Livestock Marketing Group.

She said: “I am quite surprised - I never thought I would make it this far through the process but feel very lucky to have been selected as one of the finalists.” 

The list of SRUC finalists includes:

• Aoife Cowburgh - SVQ in Horse Care at SRUC Oatridge and Competition Groom for Rhymer’s Stables in the Scottish Borders
• Colin MacDonald - SVQ Agriculture Modern Apprenticeship at SRUC Oatridge and Apprentice Stockman at Bragleenmore Farm in Kilninver, Argyll
• Elaine Sandhu - Extended Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SRUC Oatridge and Student Veterinary Nurse at McKenzie Vets
• Jennifer Mitchell - BSc (Hons) in Agriculture at SRUC Edinburgh and Trainee Consultant at SAC Consulting
• Katie Turner - Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SRUC Oatridge and Student Veterinary Nurse at Tay Valley Veterinary and Equine Centre
• Katrina Coutts - HND in Agriculture at SRUC Oatridge and Livestock Yardsman for Shetland Livestock Marketing Group
• Nathan Taylor - SVQ in Environmental Conservation at SRUC Oatridge and Countryside Management Apprentice at Stirling Council
• Reece Houston - SVQ in Land-based Engineering at SRUC Oatridge and Apprentice for Philip Scott at Ravenhill, Dingwall
• Ross Rutherford - SVQ Level 3 in Landscaping at SRUC Oatridge and Landscape Gardener for Noble Grounds Care Ltd
• Ryan Yuill - SVQ Level 2 Sports Turf at SRUC Elmwood and Greenkeeper at North Berwick Golf Club
• Spencer Johnson - MA in Land-Based Engineering at SRUC Oatridge and Shetland UHI, and apprentice engineer at Braewick Agricultural Services in Eshaness, Shetland.

Chris Stockwell, Training & Work-Based Learning Lead at SRUC, said: “I would like to say a huge congratulations to all our apprentices and students who have reached the final of the prestigious ALBAS awards.

“The awards are recognition of their great achievements highlighting the enthusiasm, hard work and dedication they have shown working in Scotland’s land-based sector.

“Whatever the outcome on the night, they should be very proud of getting through to the final – I know at SRUC we are very proud of them as we are of all the nominees. I would like to wish our finalists the best of luck at the ceremony in March.”

Tickets for the awards ceremony are available from Lantra Scotland on 01738 310164 or scotland@lantra.co.uk

Posted by SRUC on 26/01/2024