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TRAINING OUR FUTURE TURF TECHNICIANS John Deere’s Ag, Parts and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes are run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ at its purpose-built Apprentice Training Centre in Nottinghamshire
J By Allan Cochran John Deere Apprentice Training Centre manager
ohn Deere led the way in dealer apprentice block-release training when it launched its National Training Award-winning Ag Tech programme in 1992. The Turf Tech programme was launched in 2002 to assist John Deere dealers and their service departments in the recruitment, training and retention of suitably skilled turf technicians. This turf engineering apprenticeship develops the same skills as its agricultural equivalent, but with the focus more on machines used by golf courses, sports grounds, racecourses, local authorities, landscapers and country estates. Technicians are trained in engineering, electronics, hydraulics, diagnostics, communication skills, computing, sales and marketing. Many of John Deere’s professional turf equipment dealers have put their new apprentices through the scheme. The course is designed to develop technicians’ ability and skills far better than if they never left the dealer workshop. With a land-based engineering qualification at the end of three years, it’s extremely valuable as a training resource for the dealer network’s young technicians and a great foundation for their future career development.
“Students get hands-on experience with machines and the latest technology”
In addition to the course, students get hands-on experience with John Deere machines and the latest technology. They are also encouraged to help and train each other, sharing experiences from their own workshops, and identifying problems and the different solutions they might come up with. Many apprentices also have the satisfaction of knowing they’re working on machines belonging to high-profile customers such as top sports stadia and major golf venues.
MASTER TECHNICIANS
Qualified technicians can achieve the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation Intermediate Level at the end of their fourth year of employment, by attending additional training at John Deere’s UK headquarters in Langar, Nottingham. This sets them on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation. New Turf Tech student intakes are in September each year. Apprentices need to be resident in the UK, sponsored by a John Deere dealer and aged 16 or over. The standard three-year programme covers all the normal engineering principles and systems, and it includes on-the-job training and assessment as well as eight weeks each year at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre.
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For further details, visit apprenticeshipfinder.co.uk/john-deere www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 29