Myerscough horticulture apprentice wins another national Student of the Year award

Last month Archie Matthews was named the best young landscaper in the UK after winning the gold medal at the WorldSkills UK final.

Read more:

Myerscough landscaping apprentice paves his way to WorldSkills UK gold

This week, Archie was celebrated as the national winner in the BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) Chalk Student of the Year competition, in the Landscape and Horticulture category.

18-year-old Archie has been undertaking a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship Standard programme, and as well as the accolade and kudos of winning such a prestigious award as he begins his career, he also wins £100 and a ROLO training course from Orchard Learning. Myerscough also receives £500.

Archie was officially presented with his accolade at this year’s BALI National Landscape Awards at a ceremony in London.

The awards celebrate and identify the landscaping sector’s future leading lights from colleges and training providers nationwide

Archie faced the toughest competition this year, with entrant numbers increasing and the quality of entries being of a very high standard.

The BALI Trustees reviewed all the candidate entries and tutor submissions at a session in September. Selected by the Trustees as stand-out winners, each candidate’s entry was supported by their accounts including describing the personal impact of their learning detailing their greatest achievements, outlining their career goals and how they hoped to achieve them, and sharing advice for future students who want to succeed as they have.

A spokesperson for BALI said: ‘’Archie’s submission was bursting with enthusiasm, confidence and a determination to succeed through hard graft.

‘’He highlighted his transition from apprentice to semi-skilled landscaper and has already achieved greatness at WorldSkills.

‘’He wants to become a ‘recognised industry leader, known for his creativity, professionalism and dedication to excellence’, and wants to amplify and promote the benefits and positivity of working in the landscape industry to young people.

‘’He is a strong advocate of mentoring others, sharing success stories and practical insight to others.’’

The photo shows Archie receiving his award on stage from Trustee Chair Nick Coslett at the British Association of Landscape Industries National Landscape Awards.