Forestry Commission apprentice wins Trees and Timber Learner of the Year

Kate Sheppard from Ford, Lochgilphead, has been awarded the Trees and Timber Learner of the Year at Lantra’s seventh annual Land-based Learner of the Year awards.

Ms Sheppard, an apprentice with Forestry Commission Scotland, has appeared in organisational training videos depicting and promoting diversity, and recently represented the Forestry Commission on a study trip to the Czech Republic.

She was drawn to a career in forestry after a conversation with a harvesting operator. Determined to make a career for herself in the male-dominated industry, she enrolled in Forestry Commission Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship scheme.