Vet Technician Apprentice of the Year 'so proud' to see determination rewarded

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A Vet Technician who overcame learning challenges and excelled in her studies has talked of her pride after her family saw her hard work recognised by her University.

Jorja Snook-Bevis, who is part of the team at Penbode Vets , was named Vet Technician Apprentice of the Year by Harper Adams University at its inaugural Apprenticeship Awards.

Jorja, 21, is studying for a Livestock Vet Technician Higher Level 5 Apprenticeship and combines work-based learning at Penbode Vets with online studies and blocks of study sessions at the university in Shropshire.

She joined Penbode Vets as a Vet Tech in 2023 and her role involves working alongside its farm vets to monitor livestock health and welfare on farms and deliver services such as vaccinations, parasite control and cow mobility scoring. She embarked on her apprenticeship two years ago and is due to graduate this autumn.

Penbode Vets cares for small animals, livestock and horses across Devon and Cornwall and Jorja is based at its Holsworthy branch.

She was nominated for the award by one of her lecturers at Harper Adams for overcoming barriers to learning and always making a conscious effort to improve, as well as showing a passion for her role and the animals she works with.

Jorja, who grew up in Holsworthy and lives on her family smallholding where she has her own herd of four pedigree Hereford Cattle, said she finds writing and spelling challenging - but fulfils the requirements of her course by compiling visual reports instead of written ones.

She added: “Winning the award is amazing and I’m so proud that my family were at the ceremony to watch me receiving it.

“I struggle with spelling and writing, but I haven’t let that stop me and I’ve found different ways to deliver my course work. I submit photos and videos as evidence that I’ve completed certain tasks, which tick all the boxes for the course requirements and is much easier for me than writing a report. I’ve received positive feedback from my lecturers who say they looked forward to receiving my updates.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing the apprenticeship. I grew up around livestock, so I already had some of the skills needed to be a Vet Tech, but studying for my apprenticeship has helped me develop professional as well as practical skills and it’s been great for my personal development, too.

“I’m lucky to be part of the Penbode team because everyone here is so friendly and supportive and I love my job. It’s great to work with farmers to help them improve the welfare of their animals, and it’s very rewarding that they trust me to do the best for their livestock.”