Applications are already being received from John Deere dealers for places on the 2008/2009 Parts Tech training programme for aspiring parts apprentices.
Launched by John Deere in partnership with Brooksby Melton College in 2007, Parts Tech is the first such specialist programme for the agricultural and groundscare industries. It is run on similar lines to the award winning John Deere Ag Tech and Turf Tech apprentice engineering technician programmes, which have been running since 1992.
Parts Tech is an all-round programme, designed to provide John Deere dealers with the opportunity to train their parts support staff to the same high professional standards as their service technicians. The 12-month training programme is based on the existing City & Guilds NVQ course in Vehicle Parts Operations, Levels 2.
It has been tailored to include specific parts training on John Deere business systems, as well as industry training requirements such as forklift truck operation and more generic skills such as merchandising and desktop publishing. Completion of the course will lead to the award of the John Deere Parts Tech certificate and City & Guilds NVQ Level 2.
To minimise time spent away from the sponsoring dealership, the programme combines distance learning, work-based assessments and four one-week training blocks at Brooksby Melton College and John Deere’s Training Centre at Langar.
Due to start in September 2008, the next John Deere Parts Tech programme is available for enrolment now. Further details are available from local John Deere dealers or from Brooksby Melton College Tel: 01664 850850 or 855444.
John Deere Limited www.johndeere.co.uk