Armon Edwards has won the ‘Top Performing Student’ award on the Tilhill Forestry Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi. for best project report of the year which looked at the potential to power forest machinery by batteries, and other alternative fuels.
Since starting the course, award winner Armon has served as a student and college campus council representative, earning the respect of both students and staff in the process. He has continually engaged in the course by volunteering with open days and demonstrations at weekends, alongside volunteering for North Wales Wildlife Trust, where he completed his work experience placement.
To celebrate his achievement, Armon received a specially carved wooden trophy along with £250 in vouchers. The award was presented by Simon Miller, Tilhill Forestry’s North Wales Area Manager, alongside Coleg Cambria lecturer Andy White at the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) North Wales Division meeting, which was held at Hawarden Estate.
On being presented with the award, Armon said:
“I’m proud to have won the award, as it is an embodiment and display of the work I completed under experienced lecturers and learning assistants at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi. I am thankful for the opportunity that they have provided me with and look forward to what my future holds.”
“I was first referred to the Tilhill Diploma course by the North Wales Wildlife Trust, and I wanted to undertake training for the safe use of machinery throughout the supply chain, so I jumped at the opportunity.
“I have already undertaken work experience with the Wales and Marches team at the Tilhill Forestry Bala office, ranging from planning applications to harvesting and survey work within client properties, and I plan to work in forest and woodland management.
Andy White, coordinator of the Tilhill Diploma at Llysfasi, said: “Armon has consistently produced work to the highest standards throughout his level 3 course in Forestry and Arboriculture. His performance in both practical skills and academic achievement has been outstanding, particularly as he has had to balance college work with work experience and acting as a carer.
“Armon is very considerate, and has shown great care, respect and patience in supporting and encouraging other students, both on his course and across the campus.
He has also made good use of his previous engineering qualifications in applying this to his investigative project, looking at the potential to power forest machinery by batteries and other alternative fuels, this being the best project report of the year.”
Simon Miller, Tilhill Forestry’s North Wales, Area Manager said on presenting the award: “It is an absolute pleasure to present Armon with this award, he is clearly a hardworking and enthusiastic student, with a bright future in forestry. Tilhill Forestry is continuously working to increase opportunities for talented students like Armon to pursue a career in forestry.
“The Tilhill Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture, is part of a unique partnership between Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and Tilhill Forestry, specially designed to upskill people in Wales for a successful career in forestry. The course is designed to help students become ready for employment and is an excellent pathway before applying for our graduate programme. I wish Armon the best of luck and hope he experiences a long and fruitful forestry career.”
For more information, visit the website; https://www.tilhill.com/about-us/tilhill-diploma/
