A TEENAGE student has won a prestigious award for his efforts on a forestry course. 

Jacob Goodwin was named ‘Top Performing Student’ on Tilhill’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture programme, bagging a specially-carved wooden trophy and £250 prize money. 

The gong was recently presented by Simon Miller, the firm’s senior forest manager, and assistant forest manager, Simon Smith, at the Coleg Cambria Llysfasi awards ceremony.

READ MORE: Treehog issues urgent recall amid rope grab's 'safety concern'

The 19-year-old, from Wrexham, said: “It has been a pleasure to take part in the Tilhill diploma for the last two years. I never thought I could learn so much in such a short time and it made me realise how much potential is out there for the future.

“I prefer practical learning and getting hands on with different tasks and I think this diploma balances different styles of learning perfectly. The most enjoyable time in the diploma was when we were exploring the various stages of timber processing, felling trees in our plantation, transporting them back to college and using our sawmills to cut them to different specs.” 

Forestry Journal:

Jacob, who currently works with a local tree surgeon, added: “My plan for the near future is to pursue a career in tree surgery, which is a very rewarding job and will help me build my knowledge up even more. I hope to transfer my skills into commercial forestry later and explore the potentials that the sector has to offer.”

Simon Miller added: “A huge congratulation to Jacob for his hard work and we wish him a long and fruitful career in forestry.”

Andy White, coordinator of the Tilhill Diploma at Llysfasi, said: “Jacob achieved practical qualifications alongside his main course, including first aid, brushcutters, woodchipper, chainsaw and tree climbing. He has particularly enjoyed the tree climbing units. He is cheerful and enthusiastic, works hard and is very capable, and always ready to try anything. We hope the Tilhill award will inspire him to further success in the future.” 

For more information, visit tilhill.com/about-us/tilhill-diploma.