NSC’s Agriculture Star Apprentice

Oswestry, United Kingdom, March 16, 2016 --(PR.com)-- It’s National Apprenticeship Week this week and to celebrate the achievements of our Apprentices, North Shropshire College (NSC) has chosen a Star Apprentice for each curriculum area the College has apprentices working in.

Owain Ingram has been selected as one of the NSC’s Agriculture star apprentices; Owain works on a dairy farm in Llanymynech, near Oswestry and is completing a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with the College. Owain commented on what drew him to doing an apprenticeship, saying, "I tried to do a full-time agricultural qualification, but I prefer to be hands on so I switched to an apprenticeship. I had been working for my employer part-time since school; he was keen to pass on his learning to the next generation of farmer."

Owain talked about what he enjoyed about his apprenticeship, and what the benefits are. Owain commented, "I like the variety; you get lots, working with stock and tractors. I’m an outdoors type; I’m always on the go. The main benefit of doing an apprenticeship is you earn whilst you learn, it is the best incentive."

Apprenticeships offer many opportunities to do additional training on top of the qualification; Owain is about to do a foot trimming course after his apprenticeship as well as other courses. Owain commented on his experience with his assessor and new responsibilities he has been given, saying, "My assessor, Phil Goddard, is very good. He’s very talkative and explains things clearly, he uses a voice recorder in our meetings as I speak better than I write, and it makes it a lot easier for me. I have been given additional responsibilities by my boss; for example, I help look after the farm when he is away."

For more information about agricultural apprenticeships at NSC, go to www.nsc.ac.uk. You can also contact the Agricultural Apprenticeships Assessor, Phil Goddard, on 01939 262186/262100 or email p.goddard@nsc.ac.uk.