The contribution that Reaseheath College apprentices make to businesses in Shropshire and surrounding counties has been recognised at an awards ceremony.

The event highlighted the achievement of 150 apprentices who had gained their qualifications in 2018 at the specialist and technical college, just over the border in Cheshire.

Among the top award winners was Best Horticulture Apprentice Richard Peate, an assistant greenkeeper at Oswestry Golf Club. Richard, 28, who has completed his Level 3 advanced apprenticeship, mentors a less experienced apprentice who is also training at Reaseheath. He was singled out for his professionalism and attention to detail.

John Evans, Secretary Manager of Oswestry Golf Club, said: “Richard is a very hard working and dedicated professional and is a very important member of our greenkeeping staff.

“We have been pleased to support his career progression and delighted with the training he has received from Reaseheath College. It is important that our golf club has well trained staff to ensure we provide a quality service to our members and guests.”

Reaseheath College is one of the country’s leading apprentice trainers and also provides a valuable recruitment service for employers. Together with Dart Training in Derbyshire, which is also part of the Reaseheath Group, the college currently trains over 1000 apprentices in land based industries and is working in partnership with hundreds of large, medium and small employers. An impressive 97% of apprentices who achieve their qualification continue into permanent roles and many progress into management.

Bespoke programmes include a rail engineering apprenticeship for Bombardier and Arriva, a crop technicians’ apprenticeship for APS Salads and a Level 5 Advanced apprenticeship in dairy technology for a consortium of leading dairy companies.

The apprentices, who are in paid employment, are trained either in the workplace or in college in an arrangement to suit the employer. Training programmes can start at any time of the year.