TRAINING body Lantra Scotland has confirmed that it will be holding its ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills) online in 2021.

The ALBAS, which seek to celebrate Scotland's top rural learners and their achieverments, will be held online for the first time, with the virual ceremony taking place on Thursday 4th March 2021.

Now in its 19th year, the ALBAS cover a range of rural industry categories, including trees and timber, agriculture, animal care, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture and land-based engineering.

As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there will also be the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working, awards for Higher Education, School Pupil and Secondary Schools, CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies), Jean’s Jam for inspirational tutor and the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner.

Liz Barron-Majerik, director of Lantra Scotland said: “Our ALBAS celebrate the hard work and achievements of the most talented students, trainees, mentors, training providers and secondary schools in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sector.

“We want the awards to be as successful as they’ve been in previous years, so to avoid any risks from COVID-19 we’re going to go virtual for 2021.

“Our event will be streamed live on the evening of Thursday 4th March, so instead of our finalists going to Dunblane, they’ll be able to stay at home and watch it online.

“Although the ALBAS may have a different format this time around, we relish a challenge, and we’ll make sure that the show goes on.”

Nominations close on Friday 11th December. To enter, call Lantra on 01738 310364, email scotland@lantra.co.uk or visit www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/learner-year.

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