The first students to take part in the Concordia Agricultural Bursary Scheme (CABS) have achieved a UK Graduate Diploma in Rural Management and Supervision.
The students had the chance to meet employers when they received their awards from Christine Lumb, executive director of Concordia, at a formal presentation day.
Prizes were awarded to Aneta Konopka, a soft-fruit supervisor at Langdon Manor Farm, Faversham, Kent, and to Michael Poniatowski, who works for Glentham Farming Company of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.
Employers were impressed with the range of additional qualifications received, including pesticide certificates, forklift accreditation, full first aid certificates and food hygiene.
The course is set to expand this year with support from the Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) of the England Rural Development Programme.
The second course started in June and there will be further start dates in September and October.
The students are postgraduates who have been identified by previous employers as having the skills to progress to supervisory and management positions, and who work for Concordia-registered farms.
