After receiving Bronze in the BTEC Land-Based Learner of the Year Awards, Animal Management student Emma Hodson is celebrating.
Teachers and peers nominate students for the BTEC Learner of the Year Awards in recognition of their positivity and success despite personal difficulties.
Each award winner was selected from thousands of students – and often tens of thousands – by awarding body Pearson in over twenty categories, including Health and Social Care, Engineering, Music, Esports and Creative Media.
As a result of her proactiveness, passion, and tenacity, Emma from Market Weighton, who completed her BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management this summer, received this award. During her time at Bishop Burton, Emma had to shield herself because of the Covid 19 pandemic, so she completed most of her studies online.
Emma said:
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told I’d been put forward for it. It didn’t really sink in until I heard that I was a winner – I was so excited. It’s so lovely to have my hard work recognised as studying during Covid was really hard – especially as Animal Management is such as hands-on subject. I shielded for 18 months and found it really tough, especially when other students were able to come back onto campus and I couldn’t. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved when I think back to where I started and where I am now.”
Her long-term ambition is to pursue a career as a dog trainer, specifically in dog agility, at University Centre Bishop Burton, where she is taking a Foundation Degree in Animal Sciences and Behaviour. Additionally, she wants to compete at Crufts.
Emma said:
“Last year when I visited Crufts I saw a fellow wheelchair user competing and this inspired me to follow my dream.”
Clare Chaffe, Head of the Department of Animal Science, nominated Emma for the award, she said:
“This is an absolutely fantastic achievement and Emma should be incredibly proud of all she has achieved. Throughout her time with us she has been enthusiastic and passionate about her subject and I can see a very bright future ahead of her. The entire team here at Bishop Burton are delighted that Emma has received this accolade as a very well-deserved recognition of all her hard work. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President for Vocational Qualifications and Training, said:
“After two long years spent giving or receiving lessons behind a computer screen, through face masks, or socially distanced, 2022 has been a whirlwind for everyone involved in education. Considering this, it makes the inspiring achievements documented in Emma’s submission all the more impressive. The hard work and commitment she – and all our award winners – demonstrated is extraordinary.”
Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of learners have completed BTEC courses around the globe, including Emma. They are an essential route to careers in animal management, agriculture, equine, health care, engineering, construction, future industries, and the creative industries. Bishop Burton helps alleviate chronic staff shortages and skill gaps in many of these industries, such as health care, construction, and engineering.
The Bishop Burton University is currently accepting applications for the 2023 academic year. Visit https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/ to learn more about our BTEC courses and more.
