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Careers inLandbasedEngineering
WORLDofOPPORTUNITY
Fast moving, challenging,dynamic, different
www.landbasedengineering.com
Our people . . . • Enjoybeingpartofateam
• Arefascinatedby innovation
• HaveexcellentITskills
• Arealwaysupfora challenge
• Lovetoproblem-solve
• Enjoytheoutdoorlife
• Likemeetingpeople
• Wantasatisfyingcareer
WelcomeThankyouforyourinterestinLandbasedEngineering–andwelcometoourworld.
WelcometoaWorldofOpportunity,andtoacareerthatwebelieveisthebest–onearth.
WerealisethatthemeaningofthephraseLandbasedEngineeringmightraiseafewquizzicaleyebrows.
Butitishowwesumupanindustrythatrangesfromtractorsandcombines,farmmachinery,dairyequipment,chainsawsandforestrytools,off-roadvehiclesthroughtothegrasscaremachinesyouseeatworkatWimbledon,LordsorWembley.
WeareatraditionalindustrywithaverymodernoutlookthatnowseeksyoungpeoplewithIT,scientific,communicationandspecialistskillstomeetthetechnologicalrevolutionthatissweepingthroughallaspectsofourbusiness.
Robots,GPSsatelliteguidancesystems,datamanagement,alternativefuelsources,remotediagnosticsandthelikeareencompassedonthemachinesoftoday–andtomorrow.
Notsomanyyearsago,tractorsandfarmmachinerywerebuiltbiggerandbigger,andfasterandfaster.
Today,theemphasisisonsmarttechnologyaswe,asanindustry,seekmoreandmoreinnovativewaysoffeedingagrowingworldpopulation.
ThisbrochurecanonlyliftthelidslightlyontheexcitingopportunitieswithinLandbasedEngineering–buthopefullyitwillencourageyoutolearnmoreaboutthecareerpotentialwithinourwide-spreadindustrythatforthoseinitarenotsimplyajob,butacareerwithendlessopportunities.
CONTENTSIntroduction 3WhatisLandbasedEngineering? 4-5GettoknowUs:TheDealers 6-7GettoKnowUs:TheManufacturers 8-9ApprenticeshipsandTraining 10-11WherecanIstudy? 12-13Directory 14FAQsandFurtherinformation 15
WORLD OF OPPORTUNITYPublishedbyLE-TEC(LandbasedEngineeringTrainingandEducationCommitteeLtd.Companyregistration10780808)www.landbasedengineering.com
Representing:AEA(AgriculturalEngineersAssociation)BAGMA(BritishAgriculturalandGardenMachineryAssociation)IAgrE(InstitutionofAgriculturalEngineers)
Produced by:Editor:ChrisBiddleDesigner:MartinHebditch
WHAT IS LANDBASED ENGINEERING?
Theagriculturalandfoodproductionindustryusessomeofthemostadvancedandprogressiveengineeringintheworld.It
harnessesinnovationandtechnologicalwizardrytomeetthechangingdemands.Howwillwefeedtheworldinthefuture?How
doweprotectournaturalresources?The need for new engineering and technologyasasolutiontothechallengehasneverbeenmoreimportant.Theskillsneededinthefuturewillencompassrobotics,computer-basedimaging,GPStechnology,science-basedsolutions,climateforecasting....andmuch,muchmore.Doyouwanttobepartofthatsolutionandleavetheworldabetterplace?Today’stractorshaveanengine
capableofproducing200hpandupwardsandwillbepackedwithasmuchcomputer-power,electronicsandsophisticatedcontrolsystemsasanF1car.TractorsandcombineharvestersuseGPSsystemsWhatwillthefuturehold?Inevitably,driverlesstractors,roboticfruitpickersand
dronestoprovideaccuratemappingoffields.Soastractorsandmachinesgrowincomplexity,sotheservicesupportrequiredtokeeptheequipmentworkingatfullefficiencyrequiresanewbreedoftechnicianandtechnicalsupport,highlytrained,committedandadaptable.
WHAT TO EXPECTWorkinginLandbasedEngineeringisbothrewardingandchallenging.Youwillprobablyenjoytheoutdoorlife,workingonavarietyoftechnologies,andbeattractedandfascinatedbynewinnovations-andaboveallyouwillrelishachallenge.Whetherasadesignengineeroraservicetechnician,careeropportunitiesarebroadranging.Thenetworkofsome3000UKagricultural,turfcare,dairyandforestryequipmentdealerships,mostofthemworkinghandinhandwithoneofthemajormanufacturers,arealwaysonthelookoutforfreshtalent,andofferavarietyoftrainingopportunities.Youwillworkaspartofateam,butbegiventheopportunitytobuildacareerinaspecialistsector.
Service technician Robotics engineer Harvest specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
ONEOFTHEBESTCAREERS–ONEARTH
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
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NEW TECHNOLOGY Precisionfarmingandthetechnologyofmechatronicssuchasremotesensors,roboticsystemsandautomationisnowplayingavitalroleonourfarmsandinefficientfoodproduction.Sensorsandsystemsareaddinganewlevelofprecisionandsophisticationtoperformingaccurateoperationsinthefield,savingonseeds,fertiliserandpesticides.
DAIRYWedrinkaround5billionlitresofmilkinBritaineachyear-theequivalentof2,000Olympic-sizeswimmingpools-butmanyofusrarelythinkaboutthejourneythatmilkmakesfromfarmtofridge.Withmoderndairyequipment,engineeringmeetsbiology.Farmersneedqualifiedtechniciansworkingontheirmachineswhererawmilkisindirectcontactwiththemachine-andmusthavetheconfidencethattheyarereceivingthehighestlevelofexpertiseindesign,installation,maintenance,servicingandrepair.
TURFCARE AND GARDEN MACHINERYAswithagriculturalmachinery,therearearangeofqualificationsthatcanleadtoyouworkingwithagardenmachineryandgroundscaredealership.Andonceyouarethere,theopportunitiesareendless.Youmightbemaintainingmachineryforgolfcourses,workingonfineturfmachinesforhomes,-evenworkingataPremiershipfootballclub,aChampionshipgolfcourseoraTestMatchground.
OFF-ROAD VEHICLESThetermATV(All-TerrainVehicle)isusedtodescribeawholerangeofversatilevehiclesthatenablefarmers,land-ownersandeventorganiserstogetaroundareasthatwouldbelargelyinaccessiblebyacaroroff-roadvehicle.ManyfarmmachineryandgrassmachinerydealershipsholdoneormoreoftheleadingATVfranchises,andthereareplentifulopportunitiestobecomeatrainedserviceengineer,salesmanortrainerpassingonridingskillsandoperatorsafety.
FORESTRYToday’sforestryequipmentispackedwithinnovativetechnology,designedtomakethejoboftheprofessionalforesterandlandscapereasierand safer. Chainsaws andcuttingequipmentarehighpower,compact
andergonomicallydesigned.Forestryisasmuchabouttimberproductionasitisthemanagementoftheforestasanamenity,soengineersareinvolvedininnovativeprojectssuchasthedesignofbridgesandstructurestogiveimprovedaccesstothenaturalenvironment.
ENVIRONMENTLandbased Engineering will playaleadingpartindevelopingalternativefuelsinthecomingyears.Asproducersandusers-manytractorsaretodaydesignedtorunpartlyorwholly
onbiodiesel-farmerswillincreasinglybesteppingupproductionofwheatwhichgoestomakealternativefuelssuchasethanol,orbiodieselmadefromrapeseed.
IS IT FOR YOU?Ifyouarekeenonscience,technology,engineeringorinformationtechnology–andwanttomakeadifference–thenacareerinlandbasedengineeringcouldbejustwhatyouarelookingfor.
Service technician Robotics engineer Harvest specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
5
GET TO KNOW OUR INDUSTRY: THEDEALERS
Joe has worked for dealer Ernest Doe for over 25 years and has always been interested in anything mechanical. He loves the variety and challenges of his role as specialist combine technician. He is a Level 4 Master Technician.
“What you need in this job is a good deal of common sense, good dexterity and strong customer facing skills. I get a real buzz out of us working together as a team and when customers ask for you by name, you do really build strong relationships with customers”
JOE MATTHEWSServiceTechnicianERNEST DOE LTDEssexandbranches
ThephraseLandbasedEngineeringopensuphundredsofjobopportunitiesforthosewhoarelooking,notsomuchforajob,butacareerfullof
excitingopportunities.Manufacturersoftractors,farmmachinerydairyequipmentandturfcaremachinesaregettingevermoreinventiveinthewaythatequipmentisdesignedandoperated.Weareenteringaneraofsmartfarming,incorporatingsomeoftheworld’smostsophisticatedtechnology.Roboticsarebecomingmoreandmoreutilisedincropproduction,indairyandingrassmaintenanceequipment.Thenewbreedofland-basedengineerwillcertainlyrequireITskillsbutalsootherspecialisedskillsthatincluderobotics,computerbasedimaging,GPStechnology,science-basedsolutions,environmentalcontrolsandmuch,muchmore.Jobopportunitiesintheland-basedengineeringindustryarenotlimitedtotechnicalskills.Bothmanufacturersanddealersarealwaysseekingthosewithsales,marketing,communicationandretailingexperience.Theopportunitiesforadvancementwithintheindustryareendless,withavarietyofjobsandrolesavailable.Ifthefollowingappliestoyou,thenland-based
engineeringcouldwellbeanattractiveandlong-lastingcareeroption· Theabilitytoworkaspartofateam,andhavegoodsocialskillsbutalso
· Theabilitytoworkalone–oftenoutside· Excellentproblem-solvingandanalyticalskills· AhighlevelofITliteracy.Muchofyourworkwillinvolvecomputerwork,bothinthetraditionalsensebutalsointheiruseformachinediagnostics
· AloveoftheoutdoorsThewaytheindustryworksisthatmanufacturersselltheirequipmentthroughanetworkofdealersspreadacrossthecountry.Thesedealersprovideadviceandguidancetocustomersonwhatequipmentbestsuitstheirneeds,andoncesupplied,provideafter-salesserviceandsparepartssupport.Forthosestudentsnotgoingontohighereducationoruniversity,thestartingpointisoftenajobwithadealer.Let’slookathowthetypicaldealerworks,andwhatopportunitiesthereare.
DEALERSHIPSUnlikeacardealershipwhogenerallyonlysellonebrandofcar,atypicaldealerwillrepresentseveralmanufacturers(orfranchises).Therearearound3000dealersintheUK,rangingfromsmall,singlebranchcompaniesofferingapersonalservicetolocalcustomers,tomuchlargerdealershipswithbranchesspreadacrossseveralcounties.However,almostwithoutexception,dealerslargeandsmallareindependent,family-ownedbusinesseswheretheopportunitytoadvanceintomanagementormoreseniorrolesismorelikelythaninapubliccompany.Somedealersspecialiseindifferenttypesofequipment.Itmayexclusivelyselltractorsorfarmequipment,itmaysellmowersandturfequipmenttohomeownersorsportsgrounds,itmayspecialiseinforestryequipment,indairyequipmentorinATVs(allterrainvehicles)orquadbikes.Intruth,manydealerssellsomeorallofthese,oftenthroughspecialisedbranches.Let’slookatoneortwotypicaldealerships,allindustryAwardwinners,toillustratethediversityoftheindustry
LISTER WILDEREstablishedin1947,ListerWilderoperatesfromsevenbranchesinthesouthofEnglandstretchingfromBristolintheWesttoKent.Itspecialisesinfourareas,Agriculture
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
“We make sure our people enjoy the respect and recognition for a job well done. Helping them develop skills and progress their careers is just part of a normal day with us” IanNutt,ManagingDirector
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Before joining Burden Bros Agri, the main John Deere dealer for Kent, Sussex and Surrey, Cara had gained extensive experience with major retail groups including senior roles with Marks & Spencer, Matalan and Homebase.
“After many years working with well-known retail brands, I am delighted to be working with a company that has family at the centre of its values, whilst being at the cutting edge of innovation and development within the agricultural and turf machinery sectors”
CARA JEFFREYBranchManagerBURDEN BROSFramfield,Sussex
(tractors,farmmachineryandoff-roadquadbikes),Construction(excavatorsanddumpers),Grasscare(mowersforhomesandsportsgrounds)andForestry(chainsawsandaccessories).Thecompanyemploysover200peopleworkinginsales,parts,service,adminandtransport).ListerWilderwasvotedtheFarmMachineryDealeroftheYearin2014andTurfcareMachineryDealeroftheYearin2016.
ARWEL AGRI-SERVICESArwelAgriculturalServicesLtdareafamily-runfarmmachinerydealershiprunbyArwelandGeorginaEvansbasedinHarford,Carmarthenshire,providingnewmachinery,partsandservicetofarmersacrossWestWales.Inadditiontotheowners,Arwelemployssevenpeopletosellnewandsecond-handtractorsandmachineryandprovidean engineering service forgeneralagriculturalproducts.ArwelAgri-ServiceswerevotedFarmMachineryDealeroftheYearin2016,beatingoffcompetitionfromseveralmuchlargercompanies
CHESHIRE TURF MACHINERYThecompanystartedlifemorethan60yearsagowhenitwasformedtosellgardenmachineryandturfequipment,andwaslaterboughtbyElectrolux
(ownersofFlymo).Whenin1980,Electroluxdecidedtosellthebusiness,itwasacquiredbypresentMDSteveHalleyalongwithtwofellowdirectors.Thecompanyspecialisesinsupplying
commercial mowing equipmentto
golfcourses,sportsgroundsand
localauthoritiesacrossthenorthofEngland.
AwinneroftheTurfMachineryDealeroftheYear,CheshireTurfMachineryisthepreferredmachinerysuppliertobothManchesterCityandManchesterUnitledfootballclubs
SIMS GARDEN MACHINERYLeading garden machinerydealership,SimsGardenMachineryofStratfordonAvonhasmorethan100yearshistoryinthefarmandgrassmachinerybusiness.Foundedin1908,thefamily-ownedcompanyisnowrunbyBarrySimsandhisson,Ben.Severalyearsago,SimsdecidedtomovefromsellingfarmequipmenttoconcentrateexclusivelyonlawnmowersandgardenequipmentandtheshowroomisoneofthefinestintheUKhavingbeenprofessionallydesignedtoshowcasemostoftheleadingbrandsonthemarkettoday
WANT TO KNOW MORE?MostLandbasedengineeringdealersintheUKarerepresentedbytheBritish Agricultural and Garden Machinery
Association (BAGMA)whowillprovidefurtherinformationondealersinyourarea.
Manydealerswillencourageinterestfromthosewantingmoreinformationaboutthe
industryingeneral,ortheirbusinessinparticular–andcanarrangeforyoutovisitthemandlearn
more.
British Agricultural andGarden Machinery Association,225BristolRoad,Edgbaston,BirminghamB57UBTel:01295713344www.bagma.com
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
7
GET TO KNOW:THEMANUFACTURERS
TheUKhasalongtraditionforthedesignandmanufactureroftractorsandfarmmachinery.NamessuchJCB,HousehamSprayersandBrian
KnightaresynonymouswithqualityUKproducts,whilsttheindustrycontainsmanyinternational
companiessuchasJohnDeere,AGCO(brandssuchasMasseyFerguson)Case-NewHolland(CNH),CLAASandKubota.CNHproducestractorsatitsproductionplantinBasildon,Essex(picturedabove)whereitemploysover500peopleandbuildsover25,000tractorsayear,themajorityofwhichareexported.Severalofthese
companiesalsooperateinthemowerandturf
maintenancemarket,notablyJohnDeere,KubotaandAlamoGroup,whilstlong-
establishedmowermanufacturerRansomesisstillmakingmowers
inIpswichalmost180yearsafteracquiringthefirstpatentfromtheinventorofthelawnmowerEdwinBuddingin1832.Thecompanyoffersanapprenticeshipscheme,opentotwoagegroups–thoseaged18andunderandthoseagedbetween19and24whospendadayatcollegeandtherestattheproductionplant.Allofthesearemajorinternationalcompanies,buttheUKindustryisfortunateinhavingnumeroussmallmanufacturerssuchasGarfordFarmMachinery,oftenspecialisingininnovativeandground-breakingproductswhicharebestdevelopedbysmallR&Dteams.Garfordhavedevelopedaweedingmachineforfieldcrops(vegetablesandsalads)thatusesacameratoidentifyonlytheweeds,andappliesweedkillertotheplantitselfratherthanspreadingthechemicalacrossthesoilandcrops.Manymanufacturersofferstudentstakingdegreecoursesinrelevantagricultural,scienceorengineeringcourses,theopportunitytoworkwithintheirorganisationonplacementsinvariousdepartmentstogainexperienceoflifeonthe‘front-line’.Thesesecondments,usuallylastingayearorso,oftenincludeopportunitiestoworkwithinthemanufacturer’sdealer
networkorindeedoverseasandmayresultinanofferoffull-timeemployment.Whilstthisisnotguaranteed,theexperiencegained is an invaluablesteptoa rewarding career.Thesophisticationandnewinnovationscomingthroughontothemarketmeansthat
manufacturersmustworkcloselytogetherwiththeirdealersontrainingnewrecruitsandapprenticesaswellasupdatingcurrentstaff.In2016,JohnDeereopenedanewpurpose-builtapprenticetrainingfacilitynearNottinghamrecently,whilstCLAASinvestedinanew£1.2AcademyatitsheadquartersinSuffolk.Ourindustryencouragesandrewardsthosewitha‘can-do’attitude,awillingnessto
learn,goodteamplayersandthosewhorelishface-to-face
contactwithcustomers.Aboveall,thisisa‘people-business’andonewhichcanbringgreatrewards,notonlyfinancialbutinrealjobsatisfaction.Wethinkit’soneofthebestcareers–onearth.
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Manufacturersandsuppliersarerepresentedby:AEA (AgriculturalEngineers Association)SamuelsonHouse,62ForderWay,Hampton,PeterboroughPE78JBTelephone:08456448748www.aea.uk.com
8
JonathanHenrystartedasatechnicianwithScottishfarmmachinerydealerGrangestone,representingScotlandintheTechnicianoftheYearcompetition.HethenstudiedatScottishAgriculturalCollegegaininganHNDinMechanisation.JonathanthenjoinedJohnDeereUKasamanagementtraineein1993workingasanareamanagerinthesouth-westofEngland.HeundertookfurtherrolesinprecisionfarmingtechnologiesfollowedassignmentsatDeereplantsintheUSandGermany.Afteranumberofseniorroles,JonathanwasappointedManagingDirectorofJohnDeereUKinJuly2106,
ROUTE TO THE TOP:FROMDEALERTECHNICIANTOMANAGINGDIRECTOR
OUR PEOPLE
JACK ROBBENSServiceTechnicianBEN BURGESS LTDNorwich
Jack joined Burgess at the age of 14 after a two-day work experience whilst at school. He took a 3-year apprenticeship and in 2017 was award the title of John Deere Apprentice of the Year at a ceremony in Germany
“I cannot think of a job which provides so much variety and job satisfaction. I’m constantly having to think on my feet, and whilst I love working with my hands, today you also need IT skills to be able to diagnose and solve performance issues on a wide range of equipment. I hope to become a product specialist with the company in due course”
ADAM HAYWARDCombineSpecialistCLAAS UK
Gained a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University, before gaining a placement at CLAAS UK, as a result of which he took a 3-year posting with a CLASS dealership in Australia before returning to the UK and becoming a Combine Product Specialist for the UK and Ireland
“Getting a placement with an international company such as CLAAS opened up so many opportunities, gave me the chance to travel and work in Australia for almost three years. There is great satisfaction working in this industry- and the most important factor is job enjoyment and the opportunity meet so many people”
STEPHEN COPNALLSeniordevelopmentandTestingEngineerTURF MECH MACHINERYMakersofprofessionalmowers
Stephen studied and gained an HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Mechanical Engineering through a University whilst working full-time. He has recently gained Incorporated Engineer status
Being technically minded, I enjoy problem solving and developing new methods to improve product quality and learning new technologies. My main duties include designing and implementing product test programmes to replicate product life and working conditions. I am also involved in new product development and improving manufacturing quality and implemented changes where necessary. I enjoy meeting new challenges, particularly if they are daunting and difficult but with hard work and determination they start to look easier and simpler.
TONY RALPHServiceManagerRIPON FARM SERVICESNorthYorkshire
Tony joined John Deere dealer Ripon Farm Services at the age of 19 as an apprentice service technician, and by the age of 23 had been appointed Service Manager. Tony was awarded the Star of the Dealership Award at the 2017 Service Dealer Industry Awards
“What I love about this job is how we constantly have to problem-solve and use our initiative – often in unfriendly weather and conditions – and that gives you a real buzz. We also get very close to our customers, socialise with them in rural events and so you do have to be a ‘people-person’
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
9
YOUR ROUTE TO THE BEST CAREER: ONEARTHChallenging. Inspiring. Dynamic. Influential. Different. Fast moving
TakealookatthevastrangeofopportunitiesofferedbyLandbasedEngineering.Whetherit’sworkingonabigtractorwith
enoughgadgetryunderthebonnetasaFormulaOnecar,orkeepingmowersintip-topconditiontoprepareWembley,LordsorWimbledonformajoroccasions–theyallcomeunderthebannerofLandbasedEngineering.
APPRENTICESHIPSEarn while you learnApprenticeshipsareanexcellentwaytogainnationallyrecognisedqualificationsandvaluableworkplaceskills,allwhilstearningawage.Whywouldn’tyoubeinterestedinthatasapackage?Trainingintheskillswhichemployerswant,anapprenticeshipgivesyouchoicesinyourcareer.Followingyourapprenticeship,youwillmostprobablycontinueworkingforyouremployerorprogressto
highereducationatcollegeoruniversity.Theoptionsarevariedandexciting.Themainbenefitsbeing:
• Earn a wage
• Paid holiday
• Gain a nationally recognised qualification
• Learn through working
alongside experienced staff
• Learn job specific skills
• Start your training at any point in the year
Apprenticeshipsaredesignedtoallowyouto‘earnwhileyoulearn’withmosttimespentatyourworkplaceandusuallytrainingawayfromtheworkplace‘off-the-job’atacollegeortrainingprovider.
NEW APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDSYoumighthaveheardthattheGovernmenthaveintroducedthenewTrailblazerApprenticeshipscheme.Asanindustry,wehaverecentlydevelopednewLandbasedServiceEngineeringTrailblazerapprenticeshipstandards.Nowofficiallyrecognisedamongstaraftofnewstandardsforvariousindustriesare
· FoundationLevel2Landbased‘ServiceEngineer’· AdvancedLevel3Landbased‘Technician’TheadvantagesofthenewTrailblazerApprenticeshipsarethatthequalifyingstandardsaresetbytheindustryitself–ratherthanbyacentralbody.
GETTING STARTEDInLandbasedEngineering,youwillneedtofindanemployer,machinerymanufacturer,localcollegeortrainingproviderwhooffersapprenticeships.Manymanufacturersanddealersoffertheirownenhancedapprenticeships.Localemployerswilloftenofferapprenticesopportunitiesandsendyoutoalocalcollegeortrainingproviderfor‘off-the-job’training.
SUMMARY• Talk to your local Landbased college - if they
don’t offer apprenticeships in Landbased Engineering, they will be able to refer you to someone who does (there’s a listing on page 14)
• You might already have a job lined up with a local machinery dealer and they may already be working with a local college of training provider.
• Most large machinery manufacturers will have a chosen college or training provider in place and will recruit apprentices from time to time
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
10
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
YOUR CAREER PASSPORTLTASCHEMEMore than 10 years ago, the landbased engineering industry came up with a unique scheme to recognise the professional competence of technicians and others as their career progressed.
TheLandbasedTrainingAccreditationScheme(LTA)providesanationwidemeansofbenchmarking,monitoringandassessingthecompetenceoftechniciansandkeystaff.
FOR SERVICE TECHNICIANSTHESE ARE:Standard technicianStandardTechnicianswillhaveaskillsetmappedagainstlevel3advancedapprenticeship
Advanced TechnicianAppliestothosehaveattainedtheStandardTechniciancriteriaandfromthisfoundationaccumulatedexperienceintheirchosenindustrysectortogetherwiththeaccumulationofapre-setminimumnumberoftrainingcreditsobtainedthroughspecialisttraining.AnAdvancedTechnicianmaybeaproductordiagnosticspecialist
Master TechnicianWillbegainedbythosewhohavegainedtheAdvancedTechniciancriteriaandaccumulatedatrackrecord.TheywillhaveundergonespecialisttrainingandastringenttaskandassessmentprogrammeAlltrainingisaccreditedbymanufacturersinconjunctionwiththeemployerstoguidelinesagreedjointly.
FOR PARTS ANDAFTER SALES STAFFThepartsandaccessoriesoperationofaland-basedengineeringdealership,isanessentialpartofthecompany’soverallsuccessandprofitability.
TheobjectiveoftheLTAPartsCareerPathdefinesthecareerdevelopmentforthoseworkingwithinpartsdepartmentsoftheland-basedengineeringindustry.
MILKING EQUIPMENT AseparateandcomplementaryLTAschemeisavailabletothosetechniciansworkinginthedairyindustry.TheschemehasbeenestablishedbytheMilkingEquipmentAssociation(MEA).TechniciansregisteredundertheParlourSafeSchemeschemewillbethoseworkingonmilkingequipmentsuppliedbymanufacturerswhoarepartnersinthescheme.InconjunctionwithReaseheathCollegeandHartpuryCollege,theMEAhasdevelopedaseriesofcourses,designedtobedeliveredoverthreeyears,specificallyaimedatthoseworkingontoday’ssophisticatedmilkingequipment.
11
“ManytechniciansandengineersbecomeregisteredprofessionalswiththeInstitutionofAgriculturalEngineers”Institution of Agricultural EngineersTheBullockBuilding,UniversityWay,Cranfield,BedfordMK430GHTel:01234750876www.iagre.org
All training is accredited by manufacturers in conjunction with the employers to guidelines agreed jointly.
WHERE CAN I STUDY?
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
The UK and Ireland boasts a network of further and higher education colleges and universities offering a range of courses spanning the range of landbased engineering sectors including agriculture, turfcare, dairy and forestry. Here is a brief focus on four training centres (a full list is on page 14)
REASEHEATH COLLEGE, CHESHIREReaseheathCollegeisoneofthetoptrainingcentresintheUKforagriculturalengineering and is thepreferredtrainingproviderforleadingcompaniessuchasJCB,CaseIH,ClaasandNewHolland.Employers,bothdealersandmanufacturers,constantlylooktoReaseheathwhenrecruiting-andthere’salwayshighdemandfornewlyqualifiedengineers.ReaseheathoffersLevel2andLevel3diplomacoursesinAgriculturalEngineeringaswellasapprenticeshipsinLandbasedEngineering,inParts,SalesandMarketingandtrainingfortheParloursafequalificationforthedairyequipmentindustry.
RISEHOLME COLLEGE, LINCOLNSHIRERiseholmeCollege(partBishopBurtonCollege)isbasedintheUK’smostimportantagriculturalcounty.AlmosteverystudentwhocompletestheircourseatRiseholmeCollegefindsgainfulemploymentormovesontoahigherlevelofstudywithinsixmonthsandthiswasrecognisedatthisyear’sBusinessTechnologyEducationCouncil(BTEC)Awards,whereRisehome was crownedthe2017OutstandingBTECCollegeoftheYear.The£3.5millionTechnologyandSkillsCentreisanewpurpose-builtunitoncampusfocusingonadvancingland-basedstudy.Thestate-of-the-arttraininggivesstudentsaccesstothelatesttechnologyinprecisionfarming,includingglobalpositioningsystems,CANbuselectronics,dronetechnologyandrefrigerationengineering.
SCOTLAND’S RURAL COLLEGE (SRUC) FourScottishcolleges,Barony,ElmwoodandOatridgeCollegesandScottishAgriculturalCollege,mergedin2012tobecomeScotland’sRuralCollege(SRUC).Togethertheydelivercomprehensiveskills,educationandbusinesssupportforScotland’slandbasedindustries.Thecollegesofferastrongcurriculumoflandbasedrelatedcourses,notablyinagriculture,turfcareandforestryfromintroductoryengineeringcoursesthrougharangequalificationlevels.Arangeoftopicswillbecoveredduringthecoursesincludingenginerepair,serviceandmaintenance,hydraulicsystems,weldingandfabrication.
ScotlandhasastrongforestrytraditionandthecurriculumatSRUCrecognisesthisbyofferingspecialistcoursestomeetthedemandsofmaintainingforestryandarboriculturalmachinery.
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITYHarperAdamsUniversitywasnamedmodernuniversityoftheyearintheThe Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.Theuniversity,whichisrankedinthetop10forgraduateemploymentintheUK,providesstate-of-the-artfacilitiesandcoursesforundergraduate,postgraduateandlifelonglearnersinagriculture,agribusiness,animal,engineering,food,ruralandland-basedstudies.Allundergraduatecoursesincludea12-monthcommercialplacementspentawayfromtheuniversity,wherestudentscangainpracticalexperienceintheworkplacebefore
theygraduate.HarperAdamsisalsothehomefortheAgricultural
Engineering InnovationCentre,andhometotheNationalCentrefor Precision Farming.
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LOOK NO HANDSThe robots are coming – from fields to football
HANDS FREE HARVEST THEWORLD’Sfirst“handsfreeharvest”wascompletedatHarperAdamsUniversityduring2017Theground-breakingprojectaimedtobethefirstintheworldtoplant,tendandharvestacropwithonlyautonomousvehiclesanddrones.ItbeganinOctober2016and11monthslaterthebarleycrophadbeengatheredin.TheprojectteamplantomakeaHandsFreeHectarebeerwiththeirharvest!MartinAbell,leadresearchersaid:“Thisprojectaimedtoprovethatthere’snotechnologicalreasonwhyafieldcan’tbefarmedwithouthumansworkingthelanddirectlynowandwe’vedonethat.Weset-outtoidentifytheopportunitiesforfarmingandtoprovethatitispossibletoautonomouslyfarmtheland”.Theteamusedmachinerythatwasreadilyavailableforfarmerstobuy;opensourcetechnology;andanautopilotfromadroneforthenavigationsystem.MartinAbellsaid“Ourmajorchallengeleadinguptoharvestwasgettingthecombineready.Wespentalotoftimepractising;gettingourheadlandturnsrightandonthedaytheyappearedtobeperfect,whichwasamazingtosee”Atractorwhichwasusedearlierintheprojectforthespraying,drillingandrolling,andwassmallerandlighterthanmosttractorsusednowadays.Theteam’smentalitythatsmallerisbetterwascarriedthroughtoharvest.Theteambelievethattheuseofsmalleragriculturalmachinescouldimprovesoilandplanthealth.“TeammemberJonathanGillsaid“Theweathercanbeanissuewhenfarming,andprovideonlysmallwindowsforworktobecompleted;we’veexperienceditourselveswiththisproject.JustlikeanywhereintheUK,we’vehadtoadjustoursprayingtimesandharvesttimesduetotherain”“Nowit’sgoingtotakenewtalententeringtheindustrytodevelopthetechnology.Wehopethatthisprojecthashelpedtoinspiresomepeopleandshownthemtherangeofinterestingandinnovativejobsthatareavailablenowinagriculture.”
Moreinfo: www.handsfreehectare.com
CUTTING EDGENewestmemberoftheFootballLeague,ForestGreenRoversusearoboticmowertocutthepitch“Wecallit,‘TheMowbot’,”saystheheadgroundsman“itworksfromsatellitesandwillcutthewholepitchinthreedays.Ifthereiseveraproblemanditgetsstuck,itsendsatexttomyphonetotellme.“Itworksoffsolarandwindpower–andchargesitself.Ifanythinggetsinitsway,itstopsandgoesinanotherdirection.Thenitwillcomebacktwohourslatertothesameareabecauseitknowsthatitneedstocuteverybladeof grass”.
DRIVERLESS TRACTORSWithinthenextdecade,farmingasweknowitisexpectedtoberevolutionisedbytheuseofself-drivingtractorsandrobotsthatcanperformtime-consumingtasksnowdonebyhumans.Europe’sCNH,,knownforitsCaseIHtractorbrand,hasrecentlyunveiledanautonomousconcepttractorwhichcouldworkunmannedaroundtheclockandusesGPSandsensortechnology.Thefarmercouldremotelymonitorandcontrolthemachineusingadevicesuchasatablet.MeanwhileinLincolnshire,LincolnUniversityistriallinganadvancednewmobilerobottosupportagri-techexperimentsattheUniversity’sagriculturalfieldstation. TheThorvaldagriculturalrobot,developedwithscientistsfromNorwayhasbeenbuilttoperformawidevarietyofagriculturaltasks,andcannavigatebetweenrowsofcropswithouttouchingplants.
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
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DIRECTORYVOCATIONAL COURSESTheseareofferedbyafurthereducationorspecialistlandbasedcollege.Thedurationwillvaryfromonetofouryearsdependinguponthelevelofthecourses.FurtherinformationoncollegesandthecoursestheyofferinlandbasedengineeringcanfoundonthewebsiteofLANDEX,anorganisationrepresentingtheinterestsofcollegesanduniversitiesacrosstheUKwww.landex.org.uk
England
AskhamBryanCollege York
BishopBurtonCollege EastYorkshire/Lincolnshire
BictonCollege Devon
BrooksbyMeltonCollege Leicestershire
CravenCollege Skipton
DuchyCollege Cornwall
EastonandOtleyCollege Norfolk
HadlowCollege Kent
HartpuryCollege Gloucestershire
MyerscoughCollege Lancashire
PlumptonCollege EastSussex
ReaseheathCollege Cheshire
SparsholtCollege Hampshire
WarwickshireCollege(MoretonMorrell) Warwickshire
WiltshireCollege(Lackham) Wiltshire
Scotland
BaronyCampus(SRUC) Dumfries
OatridgeCampus(SRUC) WestLothian
Wales
ColegCambria(Llysfasi) Ruthin,Denbignshire
ColegCambria(Northop) Northop,Flintshire
ColegLlandrillio Glynllifon
GolegSirGar Carmarthen
NPTC–NewtownCampus Newtown,Powys
Northern Ireland
CAFRE(Greenmount) Antrim
SWC(Omagh) Tyrone
HIGHER EDUCATIONManyUniversitiesofferlearningprogrammesinengineering,agricultureandenvironmentalsubjectsandanumberinLandbasedEngineeringorAgricultureEngineering.Theseinclude:
CranfieldUniversity Bedfordshire
HarperAdamsUniversity Shropshire
NewcastleUniversity TyneandWear
RoyalAgriculturalUniversity Gloucestershire
InstituteofTechnology. Tralee,RepublicofIreland
Keep an eye out for programmes which link Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Another key word to look for when researching courses is Agri-Food or Agri-Tech.
Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
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Tractor technician Robotics engineer Combine specialist Horticulturist Forestry technician Diary engineer Soil scientist Retail manager
Machinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultantHorticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technician
Horticultural technician Electrical engineer Analyst Parts specialist Hydraulics technicianMachinery demonstrator Drone operator GPS technologist Customer service Merchandiser Machinery advisor Sportsturf consultant
FAQSWhat GCSE Levels do I need for an apprenticeship?EmployersmightaskfortwoormoreGCSEgrades(A-C)orequivalent.However,qualificationsrequiredarealwaysatemployersdiscretion.
What are the best subjects to study at A-Level for Higher Education? Ideallyyoushouldstudy,Maths,PhysicsandEnglish.Electronics,chemistry,designtechnology,biology,geologyorgeographyarealsouseful.ForthosestudentswithoutA-levelMaths,somecollegessuchasReaseheathofferaTechnicalBaccalaureate(TechBacc)whereyoucanstudyaLevel3ExtendedDiplomainAgriculturalEngineeringalongsideaLevel3Mathsqualification.
Do I need to have a farming or rural background? Notatall.Youwillhoweverneedaninterestinengineering,scienceandcomputerstudies.Youwillbeenthusiastic,adaptable,resourcefulandkeentolearn.Youwillalsobelikelytoenjoytheoutdoorlife.
What if I am thinking of becoming an apprentice? Manyyoungpeopleentertheindustrythroughadealership,eitherafarmmachineryspecialistorgrassmachinerydealership(althoughmanysellandservicebothandawholelotmoreequipment).Talktoalocalfarmorgardenmachinerydealertoseewhatopportunitiestheyoffer.
What other branches of agriculture are landbased engineers involved in?Numerouscoursesandjobopportunitiesarecomplementarytolandbasedengineeringincludingconservationwork,soilscience,irrigation,watermanagement,drainage,environmentalcontrols,agronomy,microbiology,geneticists,animalwelfare,constructionprojects...thelistgoeson.
As an individual, how could I best progress my career?Dealersandmanufacturershavetheirowntradeassociations(BAGMAandAEA)whichtheyjoinascompanies.Forindividuals,theindustry’sprofessionalmemberorganisationistheInstitutionofAgriculturalEngineers(IAgrE)whoprovidearangeofmembershipgradesforstudents,techniciansandothersastheyprogresstheircareerwww.iagre.org
Is it a long-term career? Thinkaboutit.Between1990and2010theworldpopulationgrewby30percent.Atthesametime,aslandresourcesreduce,andasclimatechanges,theneedforsolutionstofeedtheworldareurgentlyrequired–andLandbasedEngineersholdthekeytomanyofthesesolutions.
Landbased EngineeringAdvice on Careers, Education & Training
Visit our website www.landbasedengineering.com
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World of OpportunityCareers in Landbased Engineering
IspublishedbyLE-TEC(LandbasedEducationandTrainingCommitteeLtd)
AgriculturalEngineersAssociation
www.aea.uk.com
BritishAgriculturalandGardenMachinery
Associationwww.bagma.com
InstitutionofAgriculturalEngineers
www.iagre.org
WANT TO KNOW MORE?ThisbrochureisproducedbytheindustrypartnersoftheLandbasedEngineeringTraining
andEducationCommitteeLtd(LE-TEC)