A young farmer from Shetland has been unveiled as part of a new drive to encourage more youngsters to get into land-based and aquaculture industries.
The industry champions initiative is the brainchild of Lantra Scotland – the sector skills council for land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries.
Former finalists and winners of Lantra’s annual Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year awards have come together to form a group, with the aim of introducing more people to career opportunities and qualifications offered by their respective industries.
They will also act as ambassadors for their employers and the wider rural sector, while promoting rural industries to the next generation.
Among the group is Jakob Eunson, who won the agriculture category at this year’s awards.
He is currently doing a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 3 in livestock production through Train Shetland, while working as an apprentice farmer at Uradale Farm in Scalloway.
In the future he hopes to create an innovation “production to retail” business, raising livestock to butcher and sell on to customers via a retail outlet.
Lantra Scotland director, Kevin Patrick, said: “We are delighted to be working with the champions to provide them with opportunities for personal and professional development, and are very grateful to their employers for supporting the initiative. They will also be given the chance to be involved with career events, consultations on standards and qualifications, case studies and activities related to their industries.”