A WILTSHIRE College & University Centre apprentice who swapped engineering for horticulture has been named the South West’s top landscape student after winning a prestigious BALI Chalk Fund Award.

Finlay Lisk, 18, from Bath, won the South West regional title in the 2026 BALI Chalk Fund Landscape Student of the Year Awards, recognising his achievements while studying a Level 2 Horticulture Operative apprenticeship at the College’s specialist Lackham campus.

The BALI Chalk Fund celebrates outstanding students in landscape, horticulture and garden design across the UK, with regional winners receiving a cash prize and certificate in recognition of their achievements.

Finlay’s journey into horticulture began several years ago with a Year 10 work experience placement at Somerset Lavender Farm.

He returned to the fourth-generation, family-run business every Saturday after his placement before spending a gap year working there. Today, he spends one day a week studying at Lackham and four days working alongside Chris Green, who runs the farm with his parents, Judith and Francis.

Before choosing horticulture, Finlay had started an engineering course at sixth form but quickly realised it wasn’t the career for him.

“I wanted something more practical and physical,” he said. “When I did my work experience in engineering, I realised I didn’t like being in an office all day.

“I was already working here at the lavender farm and I’d always enjoyed gardening at home, so horticulture just felt like the right direction.”

Finlay’s days are now spent tending gardens, caring for thousands of lavender plants, pruning, hedge cutting, taking cuttings and preparing stock for the farm’s expanded shop and café. He has also helped pot more than 6,000 lavender plants destined for the farm’s fields.

His interest in horticulture extends beyond his apprenticeship, with Finlay also gardening at home and tending his own allotment.

“I was really pleased when I found out I’d won,” he said. “It’s nice to know the work I’ve been putting in has been recognised. I’m saving up for a car at the moment, so the prize money will definitely help.”

Spending four days a week at Somerset Lavender Farm and one day at Lackham has allowed Finlay to put his learning into practice throughout his apprenticeship.

“The apprenticeship is a really good mix of theory and practical work. Everything you learn in one helps you understand the other.

“I’m still learning what I enjoy most, but I really like tending gardens. I also enjoy the nursery side of the business, growing plants and preparing them for sale.”

Chris Green, who runs Somerset Lavender Farm and is himself a former Lackham student, said taking on an apprentice initially felt like a big commitment.

“It was quite scary at first,” he said. “It’s a big commitment and you want to make sure you’re giving someone the best experience possible.

“But very quickly we realised there was so much to learn from both sides. It’s taught me a lot, working with somebody else and having to teach someone else.”

Asked what he would say to other businesses considering taking on an apprentice or work placement student, Chris’s answer was simple: “Go for it.”

On hearing Finlay had won the regional award, he added: “I’m thrilled. It’s amazing. I can’t believe it.”

Sarah Moor-Bardell, Assessor in Landscape and Horticulture at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said Finlay had shown “remarkable development” throughout his apprenticeship.

“He works for a small, family-run lavender farm and has been exposed to a wide variety of horticultural tasks,” she said.

“He has clear ambitions to progress within horticulture, continue learning, and eventually support and inspire other young people entering the industry, highlighting both leadership potential and dedication to his sector.”

Finlay’s story has already come full circle. Earlier this summer, Somerset Lavender Farm welcomed another work experience student – and this time it was Finlay helping to show them the ropes, several years after his own work experience placement first introduced him to the industry.

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