The Milking Equipment Association (MEA) is celebrating after signing up the 200th Level 2 candidate on to its dedicated accreditation scheme, Parlour Safe.
A national scheme launched to provide a benchmark of the competence of milking technicians, the LTA MEA Parlour Safe qualification is open to both dealers and self-employed technicians and is supported by all of the UK’s major milking equipment manufacturers.
To be eligible to enrol on the LTA MEA Level 2 programme, individuals need to have successfully completed Level 1 or to already be trained technicians with up to two years’ practical experience. Candidates are required to further their knowledge of the milking industry by studying 27 distinct modules including everything from animal behaviour and physiology through to the more technical elements of parlour hydraulics and pneumatics over a two year period.
Roger Lane-Nott, Director General and CEO of the Milking Equipment Association, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Parlour Safe and demonstrates the growing awareness of its value to all those involved in the milking industry. With the advancement of technology and the increasing sophistication of milking equipment, the need for fully qualified technicians has never been greater.
“The Parlour Safe scheme will not only help farmers ensure that risk to the wellbeing and health of their herd is minimised, but will also provide them with the ultimate confidence that they are receiving a high level of expertise in design, installation, maintenance servicing and repair from fully accredited technicians.”
The first qualified technicians graduated from Parlour Safe in February 2013 and since then the scheme has enjoyed a number of successes with independent technicians and dealers from across the UK pledging their support.
Mike Cullen from Reaseheath College, which runs the accreditation scheme under the administration of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, commented: “To welcome our 200th individual onto the scheme is hugely positive news for Parlour Safe and we are delighted that dealers, processors and individuals UK-wide are recognising the significance of it."
