John is Runner Up
NAFC Modern Apprentice John Blance was runner up in the Aquaculture Category at the Lantra Scotland awards ceremony in Dunblane on Thursday.
John has recently completed his Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture (SCQF Level 7) at the NAFC Marine Centre UHI, while employed by Greig Seafood Shetland. He joined the aquaculture industry as a career change after working in the Royal Mail for 25 years and undertook most of his apprenticeship training at Greig Seafood's Setterness marine site. John recently transferred to work in NAFC’s marine hatchery to rear lump-suckers for Greig Seafood as a biological control for sealice.
Stuart Fitzsimmons, Aquaculture Training Section Leader at NAFC, said: “John has been an exceptional student and Modern Apprentice whose work has been of a high standard. His knowledge of the aquaculture industry has improved significantly and we’re pleased that his hard work has been recognised as a runner up in the Lantra Learner of the Year awards."
John was also recently awarded the Jim Tait Prize for Aquaculture at the NAFC Marine Centre's annual prize-giving event.
John's award was made at Lantra Scotland’s 15th Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards, which took place on Thursday 2nd March in Dunblane.
Modern Apprentice Jakob Eunson of Uradale farm was awarded the Learner of the Year award in the Agriculture category at the same cermeony.