FOUR people attending the Orchard Trust's smallholding at Stowfield have gained vocational qualifications in horticulture, agriculture and animal care.
The students, Hannah Carpenter, Mark Whitehead, Kevin Horder and Phillip Lee, the first batch from the Trust to gain awards under the scheme, were awarded their hard-earned certificates by Dan Lewis of the National Proficiency Test Council.
Trust spokesperson Judith Billinghan said: "The benefit of a project such as this is that people with a learning disability have an opportunity to experience at first hand the importance of caring for animals and develop skills in horticulture and agriculture."
The Stowfield smallholding is offering training and work experience for up to 16 people a day, teaching practical livestock care, fencing, logging and horticultural subjects.
Smallholding manager Tracey White said: "The Trust enables people to become more confident as they have an opportunity to contribute to the local environment and see the outcome of their hard work."