Sine takes top apprentice gong ahead of strong field
Lantra Scotland’s annual Learner of the Year Awards, which took place in Dunblane this week, saw the top agricultural apprentice title going to Sine Soszka, an 18-year-old farming apprentice from Dornoch in Sutherland.
The runner-up spot in the agricultural apprentice section went to 19-year-old Kieran Paxton from Jedburgh.
Sozska, who has been doing a modern apprenticeship in agriculture through SRUC while working at Fearn Farms for John Scott & Partners, also picked up the Modern Apprentice of the Year Award and a Caras (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies) Award. “Winning an award makes all the hard work worthwhile and I would like to thank my tutors at SRUC, J Scott & Partners and my friends and family for all their support and guidance. I would not be where I am today without them,” she said.
Runner up in the agriculture section, Paxton – who also picked up a Caras award – has been doing an SVQ Level 3 in mixed farming through Borders College while working for WE Sanderson.
His first experience of 0 Dougie Vipond presented the awards to Sine Soszka and Kieran Paxton, below agriculture was when his family moved to the country and his mother got a job as housekeeper on a farm. Before long he was helping Neil Ralston at Edgerston Home Farm at nights and weekends. After school he applied for the NC in Agriculture at Borders College, before progressing on to the apprenticeship scheme:
“I’d like to thank my tutors at Borders College and the guys at WE Sanderson, who have given me the chance to get some valuable work experience,” said Paxton
Robert Pickford, 19, from Jedburgh, also picked up a Caras award for his work as a modern apprenticeship in agriculture through Borders College while working for TDC Thomson.
Horticulture learner of the year and runner up in the overall learner of the year category was Reece Mcnaughton from Kelso.
Kevin Patrick, director of Lantra Scotland, said: “Our awards highlight the incredible people, the great work they do and the career opportunities within Scotland’s land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries.”