A trainee shepherd has carried off top honours at an awards ceremony for apprentices at Reaseheath College, Cheshire.
Adam Trigg, 18, now takes on a high level of responsibility for the management of the sheep flock at Wheatsheaf Farm, Congleton, despite his non farming background.
He has been recognised for his commitment, both to his training programme and to the animals in his care, with the title of Reaseheath Intermediate Apprentice of the Year and also took the Best Agriculture Apprentice award.
Adam completed his industry placement with farmer Andrew Fithom while studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Reaseheath. Recognising his passion for farming and the benefits this could bring to his business, Andrew then offered Adam a full time apprenticeship.
Wheatsheaf Farm is a 100 acre lowland sheep and arable farm which has been owned and run by Andrew for 30 years. Its sheep flock consists of 180 breeding ewes and 800 store lambs, with the arable crops used mainly as winter feed.
Adam carries out all farm duties including buying and selling and also has some commercial sheep and his own Stonelowe Texel pedigree flock at home in Longsdon near Leek.
In addition to his Reaseheath awards, Adam was also runner-up in the Competent Young Person’s category in this year’s Cheshire County Farms Competition.
He said: “These have been amazing achievements for me and I am very proud. I think an apprenticeship gives you the freedom to learn the best way of doing things as you are hands-on every day.”
Andrew Fithon added: “Adam is enthusiastic and capable of carrying out every job on the farm. He is of great help to me and to my business.”
Reaseheath College is a leading apprentice trainer and also provides a valuable recruitment service for employers. Together with Dart Training in Derbyshire, the college trains over 1000 apprentices in land based industries and works in partnership with hundreds of large, medium and small employers.
