A major new training scheme for the UK groundcare machinery industry is being launched by John Deere Limited, in conjunction with Brooksby Melton College in Leicestershire, with the approval of BAGMA and the City & Guilds of London Institute, and the support of the Learning & Skills Council.
The only scheme of its kind in the groundcare industry, the John Deere Turf Tech apprentice engineering training programme has been developed to assist dealers and their service departments in the recruitment and training of suitably skilled technicians. It is based on a similar John Deere scheme that has already been operating successfully in agriculture since 1992 and which won a National Training Award at the end of 1997.
Essentially Turf Tech is a four-year block release course at Brooksby Melton College, leading to the BAGMA/City & Guilds of London Institute 4024 Agricultural/Groundcare Service Engineers NVQ Level 2 & 3 Certificates, and the John Deere Turf Tech Certificate.
The standard three-year apprenticeship will cover all the normal engineering principles and systems and include regular sessions at the John Deere training centre in Langar. During the fourth year the trainee works at the sponsoring John Deere dealership and attends at least three service schools at the John Deere training centre.
Successful completion of the fourth year of the scheme also qualifies technicians for associate membership of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, and registration as Eng Tech with The Engineering Council.
The first intake of students, who need to be resident in the UK, sponsored by a John Deere dealer and aged 16 or over, is planned for September 2002. Anyone interested in applying will be able to obtain a brochure outlining the scheme from Brooksby Melton College, area careers officers, John Deere Limited at Langar, Nottingham, and John Deere dealers nationwide.
John Deere www.johndeere.co.uk