AGCO has announced the celebration of the fifteen year anniversary of its dealer apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Warwickshire College.

AGCO dealers which number close to 100 different companies located throughout the UK, provide sales, service and technical support for one or more of four core AGCO farm machinery brands: Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra.

As part of their AGCO dealer apprenticeship, young people taken on by a dealer representing an AGCO brand receive 24 weeks training spread over two years at Warwickshire College's Moreton Morrell campus, located 7 miles south of Warwick. All apprentices attending the college as part of AGCO's dealer apprenticeship scheme stay on-site in the college's own residential accommodation.


The AGCO training centre at the Moreton Morrell campus, Warwickshire

Two levels of apprenticeship in land-based engineering are currently offered by AGCO dealers. The first is an intermediate level 2 apprenticeship that takes two years to complete, including 12 weeks during each year attending Warwickshire College, the remainder of the time being spent back at the apprentice's dealer-employer.

With the support of their dealer, trainees wishing to progress to an advanced level 3 apprenticeship are able to attend Warwickshire College for a further 12 weeks spread over a total of 15 months.

AGCO's Training Development Manager, Tony Linfield, pointed out that around 180 apprentices from AGCO dealers across the country have been enrolled to date on the scheme since it was established by AGCO and Warwickshire College in 1999.

"This is a real opportunity for AGCO apprentices to gain knowledge and practical skills at college as well as gaining valuable hands-on experience in the workplace," he said. "Time-served land-based engineers that progress and demonstrate high levels of expertise are a tremendous asset to all of us in the industry."

Third-year AGCO apprentice, Clarke Minot, 18, from Chelmsford, Essex, is employed by RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd, a main dealer for AGCO's Challenger, Fendt and Massey Ferguson brands.

"I do not have a farming background, but one of my neighbours had tractors and I was always really interested in them as a youngster," said Clarke. "The best thing about being an apprentice is that you are training to get a qualification and getting paid at the same time."

Peter Husband, Vice Principal of Warwickshire College pointed out that the college is proud of its long-standing partnership with AGCO. "It's fantastic to see the relationship continue with the recruitment of every new group of apprentices," he said. "As the current apprentices say themselves, it's a great way to start your career and earn while you learn, gaining experience, expertise and a valuable qualification at the same time."