Student Joseph soars to Royal Forestry Society Silky Saw Handsaw Award (From Dorset Echo)

Student Joseph soars to Royal Forestry Society Silky Saw Handsaw Award

5:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By James Tourgout

APPRENTICE Joseph Ryall has become the first student at Kingston Maurward College to receive the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Silky Saw Handsaw Award.

He was nominated for ‘showing most endeavour’ and received his trophy from John Sanders, chairman of the RFS Somerset and Dorset Division, at the Dorchester college's prize giving ceremony.

The award, which also includes a year's membership of the RFS, was presented by John Sanders, chairman of the RFS Somerset and Dorset Division, at the college’s prizegiving ceremony.

Mr Sanders said: “Apprenticeships play a vital role in ensuring that we have a generation of skilled and knowledgeable people able to provide the wise management needed to ensure the country's woodland heritage for generations to come.

“We wish Joseph well in his future career.”

Joseph, 19, of Verwood, has been studying a Level 2 Work Based Diploma in Arboriculture.

He works for a company based in called Evans Above Tree Care, where he is completing his apprenticeship.

Joseph said: “I was really pleased that my hard work has been recognised.

“I had been at college full time for a couple of years before I decided to do an apprenticeship because I wanted to specialise in something and I heard that it was a good way to earn money whilst you’re training.”

He added: “I think it works well for employers too, because they get to shape their apprentices the way they want them to work.”

Joseph was nominated by Kingston Maurward arboriculture lecturers Jen Newman and Spencer Gregory.

Joseph’s citation praised him as ‘an incredibly hard working and enthusiastic young man’.

It adds: “He was also a good older role model for the younger students in his class, offering them support with their tree climbing skills and cheering them up with his sense of humour.”

Some 25 colleges took part in the RFS Silky Fox Handsaw Awards.

They are presented annually to the best practical students on Level 2 or 3 Certificates in Forestry and Arboriculture.

The RFS promotes the wise management of trees and woods and welcomes new members.