Greenkeeping student achieves global recognition in City and Guilds Medal of Excellence

An Oaklands Greenkeeping student has been recognised amongst 200 students globally in the City of Guilds annual Medal for Excellence programme. 

28-year-old Ben Croft from Luton is currently studying Level 4 NVQ in Amenity Horticulture Management is employed as Deputy Course Manager at Mid Herts Golf Club. He was nominated for the award by course tutor Andy Wright. 

The City & Guild Medals for Excellence programme nominations are open to City & Guilds learners worldwide to celebrate high standards and excellence in their chosen career. An independent panel at City and Guilds assesses nominations against set criteria. 

Ben said: “The medal is a great recognition, not only on my personal achievements but also helps raise the profile of the green keeping industry as a whole.”

Oaklands College tutor Andy Wright visited Ben in person at work to present him with the medal. He said: “Ben fully deserves to be recognised for his high standards, and we were thrilled to enter him for the awards. This is the fifth medal we’ve won as a College, which is a reflection of the increasing professionalism to be found in the Greenkeeping industry”. 

Each medalist will now automatically be entered for a Lion Award, which takes place at the City and Guilds national award ceremony this summer. Find out more about the Lion Awards at www.lionawards2017.com