Equine undergraduates win USA internships

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Two Reaseheath equine science undergraduates have won prestigious internships in the USA.

Michelle Hand and Zoe Greenwood have both been awarded the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) competitive internship to go to Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE Center).

The MARE Center is a 420 acre equine research and education facility in Middleburg, Virginia – the heart of horse country in the USA.  The three month internship will allow our undergraduates to develop research and academic skills in a practical, hands-on, environment.

The programme, which focuses on optimising horse and environmental health, is designed to prepare students for careers in the equine industry, academia or veterinary science by applying classroom knowledge in a ‘real world’ context.

Looking forward to their internships: Michelle Hand and Zoe Greenwood

Looking forward to their internships: Michelle Hand and Zoe Greenwood

It is the first time in the history of the internship that it has been awarded to two candidates, with judges feeling that both were equally worthy.

Michelle and Zoe are following in the footsteps of first class equine science graduate Charlotte Woolley, who won the internship in 2014 during her final year with us. Charlotte is now studying for an MSc in Animal Biosciences, and will start a PhD in Clinical Veterinary Sciences in September, both at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.

Michelle and Zoe, both 21, are due to complete their BSc (Hons) Degrees in Equine Science this summer and are confident that their internships will boost their career prospects as well as giving them a unique insight into an acclaimed international programme. As interns, they will be involved in the advancement of equine research in reproduction and breeding in the Sport Horse and Thoroughbred industries, and in nutritional management and health, exercise physiology and land stewardship.

To qualify for this valuable opportunity, both undergraduates wrote 3,000 word essays on subjects involving the health and welfare of equines. Michelle, who wants to become an equine journalist specialising in horse care and veterinary issues for the leisure owner, chose the indiscriminate breeding of horses as her subject.

Zoe, who is considering a future career in research, wrote her report on internal parasite burdens in young horses and how it affects their health in later life.

Both students, who came to Reaseheath after ‘A’ level studies, were shortlisted and interviewed by a judging panel consisting of Prof Graham Suggett OBE (former Director National Equine Database, former BEF Director of Equine Development and Principal Emeritus Warwickshire College), Dr Georgina Crossman (BEF Research Consultant) and Dr Bridgett McIntosh (MAREC) via Skype.

Dr Crossman commented: “Michelle and Zoe were both outstanding candidates with unique qualities who we felt would equally benefit from the internship. We hope they enjoy the summer with Dr McIntosh and the rest of the team at the MAREC, and look forward to reading about their experiences and the way the internship has influenced their future upon the submission of their reports when they return.”

Michelle said: “This will be an amazing opportunity for us to learn alongside acknowledged experts and to gain practical skills working with some fantastic horses. We’re both really excited about the trip!”

Keep updated with Michelle and Zoe during their internship experience via our HE blog site here.

Header picture caption: Celebrating winning their internships: Michelle Hand and Zoe Greenwood are joined by Professor Graham Suggett, Dr Georgina Crossman and Charlotte Woolley

Second award for apprentice gardener Rebecca

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An apprentice gardener at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens near Malpas has become Reaseheath College’s ‘Horticulture Apprentice of the Year’.

Rebecca Dawson, 26, from Aldford, Chester, received her award at a college ceremony held during National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

Rebecca was one of 150 apprentices who have gained their qualifications at the Nantwich, Cheshire, specialist college in the past year. She is one of a team of seven gardeners who look after the historic gardens and grounds at Cholmondeley, which attract thousands of visitors each year.

Reaseheath’s award was the second prestigious accolade which Rebecca has received since she became an apprentice just over a year ago. She also holds the national title of ‘New Gardener of the Year 2015’, presented by the Professional Gardeners Guild to the top new entrant to the industry.

Barry Grain, Head Gardener at Cholmondeley, who is mentoring Rebecca through her apprenticeship and who nominated her for her Professional Gardeners Guild Award, said: “Rebecca is exactly the sort of person we need to attract into the industry. She is young, committed and passionate and really wants to learn and get involved.

“Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are known as one of the best in the region and are part of our living history. We need young talent to help preserve and enhance historic gardens like ours for the future and are currently looking for another apprentice to join our team.”

Rebecca has completed her Level 2 apprenticeship and has progressed onto her Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. She attends Reaseheath once a week to learn academic and practical skills and is also supported by college assessors at her workplace.

At Cholmondeley she has worked in all sections, including the popular terraces and temple garden. She also helped to build Cholmondeley’s award winning show garden at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show last year and will work on a similar project at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Rebecca said: ““An apprenticeship is a very versatile qualification which is becoming increasingly popular with employers. By choosing this route I have not only been able to enter the horticultural industry, but my future prospects have improved through the lifelong skills I’ve learnt and vital networking opportunities I’ve gained.  I’m also very fortunate to work in such a beautiful and historic environment as Cholmondeley.”

Reaseheath currently has 355 apprentices studying agriculture, agricultural engineering, animal care, construction, construction plant, food industry skills, horse care, horticulture, motor vehicle and sports turf.

Rebecca’s assessor Lyndon Smith said: “Rebecca is an outstanding apprentice and we were delighted to choose her as our award winner this year. Her portfolio of work is exceptional and her enthusiasm is infectious. She has become a vital team member at Cholmondeley, taking garden tours and answering questions from the public.”

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens were a personal project of the late Lady Lavinia Cholmondeley, who began work on them in the 1950s. The gardens are currently going through a renaissance, with new landscaping and renovated borders. They have just reopened to the public for the new season.

For further details of Reaseheath apprenticeships visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call 01270 613221

For further details of Cholmondeley Castle Gardens see www.cholmondeleycastle.com

Header caption: Rebecca is joined by Lyndon Smith (left) and Barry Grain at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Accolade for Royal Liverpool apprentice greenkeeper

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An apprentice greenkeeper at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, has been crowned Reaseheath College’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’.

Peter Lewis, 17, from Heswall, received his award at a college ceremony held during National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

Peter was one of 150 apprentices who have gained their qualifications at the Nantwich, Cheshire, specialist college in the past year. He is one of a team of 11 who maintain the championship course at the world famous venue. Eight of the staff are former sports turf apprentices who have been trained by Reaseheath College.

Apprentice of the Year Peter Lewis

Reaseheath College Apprentice of the Year Peter Lewis

Royal Liverpool Links Manager Craig Gilholm, who is mentoring Peter through his training programme, said: “Apprenticeships work well for us. They attract committed young people who are keen to learn ‘on the job’ and who quickly become key members of our team. The qualification is well respected by employers because they know that apprentices have proven, practical skills as well as understanding the theory of their subject.

“Peter has shown real passion for the job and really wants to learn and get involved. He is exactly the sort of young person we like to attract into the industry, and he has a great future ahead of him.”

Peter, a former pupil of Kingsmead School, Hoylake, has completed his Level 2 Apprenticeship in Sports Turf and has now progressed onto his Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. He attends Reaseheath once a week to learn academic and practical skills and is supported by college assessors at his workplace as well as by his colleagues.

He has worked at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club for two years, during which time he has helped to prepare the course for the 2014Open Championship and other major tournaments. Highlights of his career so far have been meeting 2014 winner Rory McIlroy and fellow professionals Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.

A keen golfer himself, Peter has always wanted to work at a world class golf course and started to gain work experience at courses in Heswall during school holidays.

He said: “Being an apprentice has given me an opening into a great career. It’s fantastic working in such a lovely environment and with such a friendly team. I’ve worked hard and the training is really paying off.”

Reaseheath currently has 355 apprentices studying agriculture, agricultural engineering, animal care, construction, construction plant, food industry skills, horse care, horticulture, motor vehicle and sports turf.

Reaseheath assessor Lyndon Smith said: “Peter’s portfolio of work is outstanding, he works hard and he’s extremely keen to learn. We were delighted to choose him as our Apprentice of the Year.”

Header picture caption: Peter Lewis celebrates success with Craig Gilholm (left) and Lyndon Smith

Student Tom to star in groundbreaking TV series

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A Reaseheath countryside student is one of the stars in a groundbreaking  TV series about the unique abilities of people who have neuro-diverse conditions.

‘Employable Me’ uses science to uncover the strengths and skills of people who have Autism and Tourette’s Syndrome as they seek employment. This is in the wake of radical emerging findings that neurological conditions shouldn’t always be looked at in negative terms. Leading scientists and psychologists are brought in to show how harnessing the conditions can lead to outstanding ability and eventually to a dream job.

Tom, who is 27 and lives in Staffordshire, has Tourette’s Syndrome. A film crew from Optomen Television spent a day in January capturing his journey on camera as he went about campus, meeting friends, and attending classes. A clip of Tom’s activities at Reaseheath comes at the end of the second programme in the series, which will air on BBC2 tonight (Wednesday, March 30) at 9pm.

Many thanks to the staff of the countryside department for their support and co-operation during the preparation for filming, and throughout the day.

Catch up on the first episode of ‘Employable Me’ on BBC iplayer.

HE careers day promotes opportunities in horseracing

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Many of our equine science undergraduates are considering careers in horseracing following a successful HE information event focused on the industry.

After hearing about the variety of well paid and rewarding jobs which are available, 72% of students said that they would definitely think more about entering the industry.

The careers day was held in our dedicated HE faculty in partnership with Cheshire Racing Hub, which promotes horseracing as a career among school and college students. The event was aimed at illustrating the less recognised jobs such as marketing, media and office administration as well as more familiar race riding, grooming, veterinary research and breeding.

Opportunities for global travel were emphasised, along with the industry’s  well regulated standards of employment which include sickness and holiday benefits and bonuses.

Gillian Carlisle, Chief Executive, The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, told the audience: “The British Racing industry embraces young people. There are so many opportunities all over the world, so make sure you make the most of work experience and go somewhere exciting. Make sure you have transferable skills and above all be passionate about what you do.”

Other Inspirational speakers included Tallulah Lewis, Executive of The Thoroughbred Club, Samantha Trainer, a roving assessor for the Northern Racing College and Elisha Whittington, a work jockey at Manor House Stables, Michael Owen’s racing yard in Cheshire.

BSc Equine Science undergraduates Krystina Whitmore and Emily Cockerill spoke enthusiastically of their experiences while working in the racing industry and of the buzz of race days, and jockeys from Oliver Greenall Racing, Malpas, gave a ridden demonstration and commentary in Reaseheath’s indoor arena.

Said Dr Jan Birch, HE Equine Programme Leader: “The racing careers day was a resounding success. The students really enjoyed it and the pre and post event questionnaires revealed that the number  who would consider a career in the racing industry had risen from 30% to 72%!”

Reaseheath College, a leader in equine education, is for the first time offering a bespoke racing module within its equine courses which has been taken up by over 40  students.

For further details of Reaseheath’s equine degrees see www.reaseheath.ac.uk /higher-education/courses/equine

Header caption: Speakers and students at the HE Horseracing Careers Day

Inaugural BYRDS Symposium hosted at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre

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Last weekend, the inaugural British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) Symposium was held at Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre.

The schedule for the BYRDS Symposium, which was titled ‘Two Athletes – One Performance’, was packed-full of interactive presentations from a host of industry experts with topics ranging from sports science, rider psychology and training methods.

Read more

Reaseheath’s apprentice stars recognised

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A trainee groundsman at one of the country’s top golf courses and a trainee food development technologist who helps to bring new ready meals to the supermarket shelf took the top titles at Reaseheath College’s Apprenticeship Awards.

Advanced Apprentice of the Year James Tickner of Hitchen Foods

Advanced Apprentice of the Year James Tickner of Hitchen Foods

Peter Lewis, an apprentice groundsman at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, was crowned ‘Level 2 Apprentice of the Year’ while James Tickner, a development apprentice with Bakkavor Hitchen Foods, Wigan, was awarded ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’.

The event marked the achievements of 150 apprentices who had gained their qualifications at the Nantwich, Cheshire, specialist college in the past year. It was held during National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

Also selected for special awards were Best Horticulture Apprentice Rebecca Dawson, who works at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas, Best Construction Apprentice (Brickwork) Adam Platt, who is employed by Greg Lambert Ltd., building contractors in Northwich and Best Construction Apprentice (Joinery) Ewan Collins of Magno Property Maintenance in Whitchurch.

Best Agricultural Apprentice was Jordan Brandrick, who works for his family’s arable farm in Burton-on-Trent and Best Food Apprentice was William Hill, an apprentice butcher with Woolliscroft Butchers, Stoke-on-Trent

Best Agricultural Engineering Apprentice (Parts, Sales and Marketing) was Mary Wallbank, a customer care trainee with Guy Machinery Ltd, Gisburn, Lancashire. Mary, 21, joined guest speaker Lee Webster, Managing Director of Hultons Landscapes, on stage to make a presentation to a packed audience of employers and families.

Best Agricultural Engineering apprentice (Parts, Sales and Marketing) Mary Wallbank addresses guests

Best Agricultural Engineering apprentice (Parts, Sales and Marketing) Mary Wallbank addresses guests

Opening the ceremony, Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David emphasised that apprenticeships were recognised by the government as the preferred training route for employers and that demands for places from young people were currently at an all time high.

The apprenticeship training programme delivered meaningful and highly valued qualifications along with skills and knowledge which were of vital importance to the country’s economy. Continuous upskilling was essential if the UK’s workforce was to be able to compete in European and world markets.

Describing the apprentices as the future leaders of local businesses and communities, he said: “You will be the influencers and the drivers for change. Through the skills and knowledge you have gained, and through your resilience and adaptability, you will prosper.”

Meredydd also pointed out that Reaseheath’s apprenticeship provision had earned praise from Ofsted inspectors last November, with the college’s outstanding work with employers and the industries it serves being particularly commended.

The college’s apprenticeship frameworks and success rates were well above the national average and apprentice satisfaction rates were also very high.

Speaking from the employers’ point of view, Lee Webster confirmed:  “A Reaseheath apprenticeship is a qualification that horticultural employers value highly. Having a Reaseheath ticket on their CV helps to make young people more employable.”

Reaseheath currently has 355 apprentices studying agriculture, agricultural engineering, animal care, construction, construction plant, food industry skills, horse care, horticulture, motor vehicle and sports turf.

Other apprentices to be commended during the evening were:

Certificates of Excellence:

Owen Taylor (Horticulture – Tatton Park Gardens)

Beth Grindey (Agriculture – G Marrow and Partners, Congleton)

Bethan Roberts (Animal Care – Groom Room, Chester)

Dan Waring (Sports Turf – Ashbourne Golf Club)

Joshua Martin (Construction – Mark Pine Joinery, Tarporley)

Certificates of Endeavour:

Nathan Fox (Agriculture – J W Fawcett and Son, Whitchurch)

Benjamin Graham (Construction – Elliot Build & Glaze Ltd., Wirral)

Certificates for Outstanding Achievement:

Rob Clowes (Agriculture – A&JE Goldstraw, Stoke-on-Trent)

For further details of apprenticeships visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call Reaseheath Training on 01270 613221

Paige and Poppy scoop Crufts title

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Reaseheath student Paige Jepson and her border collie Poppy beat off strong competition to take an obedience title at Crufts, the world’s most prestigious dog show, last weekend.

The 18 year-old, who lives near Congleton, took the top award in the Young Kennel Club’s (YKC) Pre-Beginners Good Citizen Stakes after she and Poppy completed a flawless round. The pair also made the final of the YKC Handler of the year class. And it wasn’t just Poppy who came under the spotlight, as Paige and another of her dogs, a bearded collie called Puzzle, qualified for the final of the YKC pastoral stakes.

bearded collie Puzzle and paige competing crop for web

Paige shows off Puzzle in the pastoral showing class

“I was very pleased with both of the dogs,” said Paige. “This was the first time I had competed in an obedience class at Crufts so I was quite nervous to start with, but we had an almost perfect  round which made me feel confident that I’d done well.

“While Poppy is eight and quite steady, Puzzle is only two years old but he did everything I asked of him too. Crufts is my favourite show and this year it was really special.”

It is not the first time Paige and Poppy have been under the spotlight at Crufts – last year they won the YKC’s ‘Over 12 groom through’, and were  then awarded Runner Up in the YKC’s ‘Groomer of the Year’. They have competed at Crufts in grooming competitions for the past five years but this is the first year they have challenged the obedience category.

Paige has another three border collies at home and spends much of her free time training her dogs. She’s a member of the Danesford Obedience Dog Training Club in Congleton and the Dig It Dog Training in Sandbach, where she practices dog agility and competitive obedience. She also helps to teach dog training at club level.

Paige has almost completed her Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture with us and originally thought of entering dairy herd management. But now we’ve launched a Foundation Degree in Canine Training and Behaviour she is considering widening her canine skills and possibly turning her hobby into a career.

Header image caption: Paige and Poppy celebrate their obedience win at Crufts

MP builds on skills during Apprenticeship Week

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Local MP Antoinette Sandbach watched horticulture trainees grow their skills during a visit to Reaseheath College on Monday.

MP Antoinette Sandbach joins Latisha Woolley and Simon Daynes in Reaseheath’s high tech glasshouses.

MP Antoinette Sandbach joins Latisha Woolley and Simon Daynes in Reaseheath’s high tech glasshouses.

The MP for Eddisbury was at the Nantwich college to help launch activities for National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits that skilled apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and ensuring workforce succession.

Antoinette joined the trainees, who are being prepared for entry into an apprenticeship programme, at Reaseheath’s new Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology.

After chatting to Latisha Woolley, 21, and Simon Daynes, 20, as they worked in the college’s high tech trial facilities, Antoinette said: “Apprenticeships offer a great option for both students and employers as they deliver the qualifications and skills that our growing industries require. Young people can earn while learning and also be confident that they have started on an excellent route into employment.

“It is good to see that Reaseheath puts apprenticeships at the heart of its education and training programme and that it works so closely with regional and national employers to make sure that its training programmes deliver appropriate skills.

“I am also delighted that the college, through its traineeships, is supporting the government’s agenda to ensure that young people who have left school remain on a training programme until they are at least 18 years old.”

Traineeship programmes provide progression into apprenticeships by giving trainees the chance to improve their English and maths, learn interview techniques, become more confident and receive support in their search for a suitable apprenticeship.

Latisha, of Crewe, completed Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas in Horticulture at Reaseheath before moving onto her traineeship with Malkins Bank Golf Club, Sandbach. She enjoys helping to maintain the golf course so much that she is hoping to secure an apprenticeship in sports turf.

Simon, also from Crewe, has a Level1 Diploma in Horticulture and is actively looking for an apprenticeship in that field. He is currently gaining valuable experience at a Christmas tree plantation.

Reaseheath College is a leading trainer of apprentices and trainees throughout Cheshire and surrounding counties and also provides a valuable recruitment service for employers.

The college and its sister company DART Training currently trains around 1,000 apprentices and trainees. Reaseheath Training works with over 300 employers, from national blue chip companies to small, local enterprises, and is looking for more employers to take on apprentices.

Typically, apprentices receive academic and practical training at Reaseheath on one day a week and spend the rest of their week in their workplace. Training programmes can start at any time of the year, and there are vacancies in a number of trades currently available.

For further details see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/apprenticeships

 

Young Horticulturists prove their growing knowledge

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Reaseheath students have celebrated success in the prestigious Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ competition.

Two Reaseheath trained students were among eight contestants to qualify for the North West and North Wales regional final, held in our new Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology last weekend.

The demanding competition, in front of an audience of supporters, tested the breadth of the contestants’ knowledge over ten hard fought rounds with the quickest off the buzzer gaining valuable points.

Former Reaseheath horticulture student Matt Wood, who was in the open category, took the runner-up position while Finin Talbot, representing Reaseheath, was narrowly beaten into fifth place.

Matt, 26, joined us from school and progressed to a Level 3 Diploma in Plant Production. He now runs The Tiny Plant Company in Northwich with partner Susi Boxall. Finin, 25, a current Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, qualified for the regional final after winning an inter college heat contested by over 30 students. He wants to be a collections manager in a tropical house

Winner of the regional final was Joshua Stevens from South Staffordshire College, while Jamie Leslie, a student gardener at Chatsworth House, was third. Other contestants were Mike Wilkinson (Myerscough College), Jacob Watts (Derby College), Jen Hyatt (Nottingham Trent University) and Sion Williams (Coleg Cambria).

The top three celebrate – Jamie Leslie, Joshua Stevens and Matt Wood

The top three celebrate – Jamie Leslie, Joshua Stevens and Matt Wood

Joshua, 18, now goes through to the grand finals to be held at the National Botanical Gardens in Dublin in May. The national winner will receive a £2,500 travel bursary sponsored by the Shropshire Horticulture Society through The Percy Thrower Trust.

Reaseheath has strongly supported the competition, which is open to horticulturists aged between 16 and 30, for many years. We encourage as many students as possible to take part and have had national finalists in previous years. We also hosted the national finals last year.

Sue Nicholas, Young Horticulturist of the Year Action Group Chair, said: “We were delighted to bring this competition back to Reaseheath and have been very impressed with the new facilities here.

“Over 2,500 young people are eligible for this competition. Those who have qualified for the regional final here have done really well and should be congratulated.”

Image caption: Regional finalists l-r Finin Talbot, Jamie Leslie, Joshua Stevens, Sion Williams, Matt Wood, Jen Hyatt, Mike Wilkinson and Jacob Watts