ALBAS25 awards invite nominations

Latra Scotland's annual ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills) celebrate the achievements of individuals, organisations and partnerships across the skills sector.

Employers, colleges and schools, delivering learning in land-based and aquaculture, can help recognise and promote those working in the sector by nominating their top candidates for the ALBAS. 

This year, the deadline for nominations is Monday 2 December. Once the panel of independent judges have looked at all the entries, they will interview the short-listed nominees. Then on Thursday 6 March 2025, they will announce the winners of the awards ceremony which will be held in the Crieff Hydro Hotel. 

Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Lantra Scotland Director said:

“By recognising and celebrating the success of the country’s top learners, their employers and training providers, our ALBAS can highlight the hard work and achievements of everyone involved, helping to boost their self-confidence and even careers.”

There are seven award catagories:

• Industry awards*
• Higher Education Award
• School Pupil Award
• Partnership Working
• Secondary Schools Award
• Mentor Award
• Research Project

*Industry categories in the Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills are: agriculture, animal care, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and timber and veterinary nursing.

Additionally, there are awards which are individually selected by judges

• Tam Tod Trophy (outstanding young learner): In association with Countryside Learning Scotland, this award commemorates the late Tam Tod, a gamekeeper, ghillie and lifelong friend of the countryside, and is for an Outstanding Young Learner.
• CARAS Awards: These prestigious awards recognise distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries, embracing not only practical farming and the development of new husbandry practices, but also research, technology, economics, education, farming care, communication and administration.

Last years ALBAS were attended by Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie. He said at the time:

“It was great to witness all the hard work of the winners and nominees acknowledged by these awards. The breadth of skills across all aspects of our land-based and aquaculture sectors is truly impressive and absolutely vital to continuing to support and celebrate rural life in Scotland.

“Like many of those here tonight, I knew from an early age that my interest lay in livestock farming and working on the land, and it is a passion that has stayed with me. None of my family wanted to follow on, which can quite often be the case, and that’s what makes this event so special. I hope that this recognition for all nominees and winners continues to inspire them to make their lives, raise their families and build their careers in rural Scotland, helping our rural and island communities to thrive in the future.”

Full details including how to apply can be found at: How to nominate a person, school or project for our ALBAS | Lantra - Scotland

Pic credit 1: Woman mechanic repairing a tractor outdoors by Joe_McUbed (Canva)

Pic credit 2: ALBAS24 finalists with Minister Jim Fairlie by Lantra Scotland