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Lantra Scotland announce winner of “equine learner of the year” award


  • Eighteen-year-old Emily Smith has been named as the “equine learner of the year” – for her dedication to training – at the Lantra Scotland land-based and aquaculture learner of the year awards ceremony on 1 March.

    Lantra is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for land-based and environmental industries, providing training and helping people to find environmental and agricultural jobs.

    Miss Smith was nominated by Barony College, Dumfriesshire, after completing a National Certificate in equine studies.

    “I really want to progress my career and become a head groom some day, so I hope that having my skills recognised [by this award] will help me get there,” she said.

    “When I know I have done my best and the horses are happy and comfortable it gives me a great sense of pride.”

    Rachel Rosscraig, 19, who had studied a SVQ level 3 in horsecare at Elmwood Collegeequine runner-up of the year“.

    “I find the most satisfying part of the job when we get difficult or unbroken horses,” she said.

    “It is a great feeling of achievement when you learn to cope with different horses’ temperaments.”

    The awards are designed to encourage people to take up a career in the land-based sector and make employers aware of the benefits of a well-trained workforce.

    Scottish Minister for youth employment Angela Constance attended the awards ceremony.

    She said: “Often in a time of economic uncertainty it is staff training and skills development that can suffer first.

    “However, successful businesses will recognise [that] it is during such times when investing in skills can carry even more importance.”

    For more information on the work of Lantra visit www.lantra.co.uk

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