Despite the difficulties of the past 18 months and the impact this has had on education, Claas say they have received "an exceptionally high level of interest" for its Agricultural Apprenticeship scheme.
Claas dealers from throughout the north of England, Scotland and Ireland have enrolled 16 new apprentices onto the manufacturer's Agricultural Apprenticeship scheme run at SRUC Barony.
SRUC Barony 2021 CLAAS Apprentice intake
From northern England and Scotland are: Steven Sorrie, Jack Johnston, Charlie Scurrah (RICKERBY); Ollie McLellan, Shaun McClune, Dylan Service, Stuart Armstrong (GORDONS); Aidan Brebner, Graeme Stewart, Kyle Ross, Lewis Stevens (SELLARS).
From Ireland are: Eoin Walsh (ALAN DOUGLAS); Christian Cullen (BREENS); Mark Byrne (KELLYS); Gavin McCarthy (McCARTHY); Luke McGovern (ARDAGH AGRI SERVICES).
The new 2021 apprentice cohort is one of the largest intakes of students since Claas first introduced the opportunity to train at Barony near Dumfries in 2008. Ahead of starting their course, the new students recently attended an induction day at Barony where they learnt about the College and what they will be learning and doing over the next four years.
Over the first three years of their apprenticeship, the students will attend the Barony campus on a block-release basis, spending a total of 36 weeks at the college. During this time they will be given comprehensive training in the wide range of technical skills a service engineer needs to look after today’s highly advanced agricultural machinery. When not at college, the students will spend time at their sponsoring dealership, where they will be mentored and supported as they put their new-found skills to the test. In addition they will also be invited to the Claas Academy at Saxham for specific product training, prior to undertaking further advanced technical and industry training in their final fourth year.
The manufacturer says that completion of their apprenticeship will, however, be just the start of their training with the company. Having qualified and working at their dealership they will then have access to ongoing training and development, and ultimately the opportunity to move into more specialised or management roles within their dealership or Claas UK.
