Memorable year for award winning farming apprentice Sophie
2014 has turned out to be a memorable year for Sophie Gittins, a 20-year-old Mid Wales farmer’s daughter.
After being named Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Student of the Year and completing her Apprenticeship in Agriculture, delivered by NPTC Group Newtown campus, she has been shortlisted for the prestigious Apprentice of the Year award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014.
Sophie Gittins – memorable year for farmer’s daughter.
She is among 36 finalists in 13 categories who will be attending a high profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 31. The awards are organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).
Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales by learners, employers and learning providers, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.
The awards recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, which support employees during their training. They are also a great way to evaluate training and development, as well as a fantastic motivational factor for any workforce or learner.
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
One of three finalists in her category, Sophie achieved 10 GCSEs at Welshpool High School before completing a Foundation Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship in Agriculture at NPTC Group while working on her family’s sheep and beef farm at Lower Llivior, Berriew.
Next up for Sophie, who is also a Welsh Junior Bowls Squad member, is a Foundation Degree in Rural Business to prepare her for a farm management role.
Despite being the only girl on her college course, she quickly gained the respect of her male colleagues, receiving the Montgomeryshire Society Award last year for her hard work and dedication.
Ideas and systems developed at college have been successfully integrated on the farm by Sophie who was introduced to new technologies on an Apprenticeship Mobility Programme visit to Holland.
She plans the breeding programme for a flock of 2,000 sheep on the farm as well as the health, welfare and nutrition of the young cattle. In addition, the farm is now rearing 26,500 pheasants for a game farm at her instigation.
“I feel I am a good role model for girls wishing to enter the agriculture industry and progress on to the running of an enterprise,” she said. “My plan is to continually develop and expand the enterprise and one day take over the running of the business.”
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates said: “Apprenticeships provide learners with the skills, qualifications and experience they need whilst helping our businesses to grow. These awards are a chance for us to recognise the wealth of apprenticeship talent we have in Wales.
“Sophie is a fantastic female role model in a traditionally male dominated industry. She has shown real dedication throughout the course of her apprenticeship and is already using the skills and knowledge she has gained to great effect.
“Sophie is a real inspiration to all girls considering a career in the agricultural industry and I’m delighted that she’s been recognised for all her hard work. I’d like to wish her all the very best of luck for the Apprenticeship Awards.”
More than 300 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales are expected to attend the high profile awards ceremony, where guests will dine out with chefs from the Welsh National Culinary Team.
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