RECORD GRADUATION FOR CLAAS APPRENTICES

The success of the CLAAS Apprenticeship scheme was evident at the recent graduation where a record number of apprentices received their Graduation certificates.

A total of 25 young technicians received their certificates at the Graduation Ceremony held at the CLAAS Training Academy at Saxham. Of these, 21 students were studying for the Agricultural Technician apprenticeship, with the remaining four completing the Parts apprenticeship.

The number of independent CLAAS dealers investing in the training of young technicians and their company’s future service provision, is also evident in the fact that over half of the new graduates are from independent dealerships throughout both the UK and Ireland.

Over the previous four years, the Agricultural Technician students have split their time between formal training blocks lasting 3-6 weeks at either Reaseheath College in Cheshire or SRUC Barony Campus at Dumfries, at time spent gaining practical experience with their supporting dealer, resulting in them receiving an IMI National Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, which is the equivalent of three ‘A’ Levels.

Similarly, the four students on the 3-year CLAAS Parts Sales & Marketing apprenticeship have split their time between formal training at Reaseheath College and practical time spent back at their dealership, working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Operations, which again is the equivalent of three ‘A’ Levels.

Within the cohort, three students were also recognised for their overall contribution to the course. Landbased Engineering apprentices Ben Storr and Andrew Shorten were awarded ‘Apprentice contributing most to the CLAAS Apprenticeship’ awards for Reaseheath and Barony respectively, with Harriet Simpson winning the Parts Apprenticeship award from Reaseheath. In addition, Jacob Chater was also named the Reaseheath ‘Landbased Engineering Apprentice of the Year’ in 2017 at the completion of the formal education section of his training.

Following their graduation from the CLAAS Apprenticeship scheme, all the apprentices were invited to attend the Apprentice Graduation Celebration Trip. Over the course of four days they travelled through France and Germany, visiting the CLAAS Tractor factory at Le Mans, the worldwide parts centre at Hamm and the CLAAS Group headquarters at Harsewinkel, so as to gain more insightabout CLAAS as a global company.

This, however, is described as just the start of their training with CLAAS. Having qualified, the young technicians will have access to ongoing training and development aligned to the Landbased Technician Accreditation (LTA) scheme. Having gained LTA 2 status, with further training and dealer experience, they will have the opportunity to reach product specific LTA 3 (Master Mechanic) status before going onto the highest LTA 4 (Master Technician) level, or even into more senior management roles within their dealerships or with CLAAS.

Graduating were:

AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES

• Francis Shannon; Leinster Farm Machines, Duleek
• Andrew Shorten: McCarthys, Cork
• Jake Henderson: Gordons, Castle Douglas
• Matthew McAvoy: Gordons, Berryhill
• George Leightley: Rickerby, Alnwick
• Joseph Rumney: Rickerby, Carlisle
• Peter Clifford: Rickerby, Bowburn
• Lewis Blair: Rickerby, Dunbar
• David Clark: Sellars, Old Meldrum
• Ewan Will: Sellars, Old Meldrum
• James Colwell: Hamblys, Redruth
• Dan Olive: Hamblys, Honiton
• Alex Hewer: Morris Corfield, Broseley
• Steven Bickley: Olivers, Petworth
• Jacob Chater: CLAAS Manns, Halesworth
• Will Harvey: CLAAS Manns, Saxham
• Joe Klopper: CLAAS Manns, Saxham
• Matthew Codling: CLAAS Manns, Thursford
• Ben Storr: CLAAS Eastern, Ulceby Cross
• Jack Walker: CLAAS Eastern, Sinderby
• Laurence Watkins-Jones: CLAAS Western, Dorchester

Parts Sales & Marketing Apprentices:

• Harriet Simpson: CLAAS Eastern, Markham Moor
• James MacCallum: CLAAS Eastern, Ulceby Cross
• Zak Bright: CLAAS Western, Dorchester
• Charlie Tustin: CLAAS Western, Evesham