Three students from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have each secured first place at the annual Land-based and Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding talent and achievements across a range of sectors, including agriculture, animal care and management, landscaping and horticulture, forestry and arboriculture and veterinary nursing.
The ceremony, which took place recently at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, celebrated excellence from learners in further education, and higher education, as well as those undertaking apprenticeships.
CAFRE
The LBEL Awards are a partnership between Lantra, the land-based training body, and Landex, the representative body for land-based colleges and universities.
The prestigious event, hosted by Danny Clarke, who is known as The Black Gardener, brought together over 200 students from across England and Northern Ireland, educators and industry professionals.
CAFRE students Chloe Millar, Matthew Lee and Jordan Ratcliffe were each awarded first place as their achievements in veterinary nursing, horticulture and equine, respectively were recognised.
Chloe, from Newtownabbey, is a final year student on the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing course.
She is employed at Glenburn Veterinary Surgeons and attends CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus one day per week.
Matthew, also from Newtownabbey, graduated from CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus in 2023 with a foundation degree in horticulture.
He is head gardener at Horatio’s Garden-Northern Ireland and is using his skills specialising in horticulture therapy.
Hailing from Co. Laois, Jordan Ratcliffe graduated from CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus in June 2024 with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Management.
Currently working in Australia, Jordan, who is currently working in Australia, was recognised for his passion for the international horseracing industry and his desire to advance the industry in Ireland.
CAFRE submitted nominations for the awards and said that the “compelling accounts of student enthusiasm captivated the independent panel of judges during the assessment stages”.
Claire Morris, CAFRE veterinary nursing lecturer, attended the awards ceremony.
“The ceremony was a great chance for CAFRE students to connect with fellow finalists and network with judges and sponsors from various land-based industries.
“The quality of entries demonstrated through the short videos submitted by finalists showcased the variety of industries being recognised and the intensity of the competition,” she said.
