Ransomes Jacobsen is re-introducing Craft and Technical apprenticeships beginning in January 2013. The company, which has been manufacturing mowers in Ipswich for the past 180 years, is currently looking to recruit five apprentices; three Craft and two Technical.

Craft students will rotate through the welding, fabrication and machining departments with their final placement dependant on areas of highest competency or need at the time they complete the programme. All apprentices will have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into the practical aspects of engineering, supported by a firm academic baseline.

Technical students will be rotated through the company’s engineering functions including production engineering, quality engineering and continuous improvement. The successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate a practical capability supported by a high level academic baseline.

Both Craft and Technical students will be expected to complete a minimum of three to five years training achieving an HNC or equivalent qualification in a mechanical or electrical engineering qualification on completion.

Simon Rainger, operations director at Ransomes Jacobsen said, “We are delighted to re-introduce apprenticeships back into the business. For several reasons they were phased out in the late-1990s, but we hope that their reintroduction will be as successful as they were in the past. Our customer care director Jason King began his career as an apprentice and several senior managers have come through the previous apprenticeship schemes.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for well motivated and conscientious young people; we are part of a multi-industry US company that is always searching for new talent, so for the lucky five, the possibilities are endless.”

Over the years the Ransomes apprenticeship scheme has produced numerous well-known faces within the groundscare industry including Bob Bevan, Bernhard Grinders; Graham Dale, Lely UK; Bob Buckingham; Nigel Church; Adrian Kersey, Bartram Mowers; Justin Hunt, course manager, Woodbridge Golf Club; Richard Walne, managing director, Toro Australia; Ian Mitchell; Paul Watson, Medland Sander & Twose; Julian Coppin, Toro and many more.