The National Conference Centre, in Birmingham, was full of excitement and celebration as the annual Land-Based and Environment Learner of the Year Awards took place.
The ceremony recognised outstanding talent and achievements across multiple areas of the land-based and environment sector, including agriculture, animal care and management, landscaping and horticulture, forestry and arboriculture, veterinary nursing, and many more.
The evening celebrated excellence from learners in further education, and higher education, as well as those undertaking apprenticeships within the sector.
The event was hosted by Danny Clarke, also known as the Black Gardener, a celebrity garden designer, who himself changed from a career in sales to a career in horticulture and garden design.
Danny told his inspiring story of how one person had a significant influence on his decision to change careers, informing the ceremony of how his career in garden design had grown from studying at Hadlow College as a mature student, to exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and achieving the Silver-guilt Medal for the ‘Hands Off Mangrove’ Garden in 2022.
Ahead of the awards being handed out, Danny spoke of one of his proudest achievements, having the ‘Dannahue’ rose named after him by David Austen Roses, giving a nod to his birth name.
The LBEL Awards are organised by Lantra, a specialist in training and qualification development for the land-based and environment sector, and Landex, a membership organisation representing land-based colleges and universities. The Ceremony was attended by finalists, their families, tutors from land-based colleges, and industry professionals.
With the land-based and environment sector facing challenges in recruiting new people into the industries, the LBEL awards aims to shine a light on the future leaders of the sector, inspiring more people to embark on a career in one of the industries.
Commenting on the Awards Ceremony, Prof John Moverley OBE, Chair of Judges for the LBEL Awards, said: “It’s been another fantastic year where we have been able to celebrate the success of learners and apprentices within our sector.
“We had 196 nominations this year, which was brilliant! There are so many inspiring stories from nominations and it’s an honour to be able to celebrate their achievements and passion this evening. Congratulations to all winners and finalists!”
GroundsFest once again sponsored the Sports Turf and Greenkeeping category at the prestigious Land-Based and Environment Learner of the Year Awards 2024, held on Thursday, 21 November, at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.
This marks the second consecutive year that GroundsFest has supported this vital initiative, showcasing its commitment to inspiring the future of the industry.
This year, the category celebrated the exceptional achievements of Craig Jordan, who was named Apprentice of the Year, and Matthew Tofts, the FE Learner of the Year. Both winners demonstrated extraordinary dedication and talent in their respective fields, exemplifying the promise of the next generation of land-based professionals.
Event Director Christopher Bassett shared his thoughts on the event, which is a collaborative effort between Landex and Lantra: "GroundsFest is always looking to support initiatives that elevate the industry’s educational landscape. By championing awards like these, we hope to inspire the next generation of talent and highlight the incredible opportunities within the land-based and environmental sectors."
GroundsFest’s sponsorship reflects its dedication to encouraging innovation, growth, and learning within the grounds care and landscaping industries.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists—your achievements shine a light on the future of this vital sector!” added Christopher.
For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com
