Horticulture apprentice wins Colegrave Seabrook Scholarship 

Northumberland College Horticulture apprentice Elizabeth Snowdon has won a prestigious scholarship which will help her take the next steps in her career. 

Elizabeth has been awarded £2,500 after successfully applying for the Colegrave Seabrook Scholarship Blue Diamond Award – an amazing achievement for Elizabeth, her employer and Northumberland College.  

Studying a Level 2 Horticulture qualification, Elizabeth also works as a Parks and Garden apprentice at Preston Park, employed through Stockton Borough Council. As a passionate and promising Horticulturist with a positive and enthusiastic attitude, she will use the scholarship to progress to a Level 3 qualification. 

Elizabeth said: “When I was told that I had been awarded the scholarship I was overjoyed and ran upstairs to wake my parents to tell them the great news. 

“I am due to complete my exams and I am now looking into the future regarding employment and completing a RHS Level 3 qualification in September, which the funds from the scholarship will go towards.  

“My career goals are to become a gardener, with a wealth of knowledge, who is flexible in her approach to work. I would like to work in both historic walled gardens and across horticultural projects. Being able to expand my training, knowledge, network, and experience is a key point for me.” 

Sarah Jo Harrigan, Skills Coach Assessor in Horticulture said: “Walking around with Elizabeth in the Gardens at Preston Park, it is clear she is proud to talk about her achievements regarding the horticultural tasks that she carries out as well as the events that she is also involved in.  

“Elizabeth has a real interest in propagation and the different methods, as well as growing vegetables and garden design. This a well-deserved achievement and I am sure that she will strive to gain more knowledge and qualifications using the scholarship that she has been awarded, in the industry that she is so passionate about.”