JCB Celebrate Apprentices Record

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JCB Celebrate Apprentices Record: A record-breaking group of JCB apprentices had two reasons to celebrate at the launch of National Apprenticeships Week on Monday (March 4th).

A total of 79 apprentices were awarded their apprenticeship certificates – at the same time as getting coveted contracts of employment with the Staffordshire-based digger maker.

JCB Celebrate Apprentices Record

The group is the biggest in the history of JCB to graduate as Level 2 and 3 apprentices in a single year. They received their awards from JCB directors at a special graduation ceremony at JCB’s World Headquarters, Rocester.

JCB has a long history of recruiting apprentices and this year marks 55 years since the first intake of nine completed their training and were presented with their apprenticeship certificates by company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.

JCB Chief Executive Graeme Macdonald said: “New talent joining the business is fundamental to JCB’s future growth and success; our business is growing rapidly and the apprentices are an important part of our plans for the long term.  Over the past five years JCB has invested £30 million into its training programmes with more than 700 new recruits joining the business as apprentices or graduates. Their commitment to learning has been exemplary and their hard work has paid off with the award of full-time contracts.”

JCB Director of Learning and Development, Max Jeffery said: “The apprentices who have been awarded full-time contracts range from age 18 to 38 and include a former professional rugby player, pub landlord and cleaner as well former students from the JCB Academy. The diversity of this year’s graduating apprentices shows this is a great route into a new and promising career – no matter what your background, age or experience.”

Apprentices offered contracts include:

  • Adam Parkins, 29, from Alfreton, Derbyshire. Married with four young children, he left school aged 16 to pursue a professional rugby career with Premiership clubs Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints, where he remained until he was 27.  He is now a welder and assembler working on the iconic JCB Loadall production line, at Rocester.
  • Wesley Hemmings-Topliss, 19, from Burton. Having studied a BTEC at college, the former Thomas Alleynes High School, Uttoxeter, student found work as an office cleaner at JCB. He saw his friends studying apprenticeships with the company and decided he wanted a career making the machines too. He is now a welder in the JCB Hydraulic Business Unit, at Rocester.
  • Tom Clarke, 29, from Stafford, a former team leader at Screwfix, Stafford, where he was in charge of almost 100 people. Tom has become JCB’s first Level 2 Health and Safety Apprentice with the company’s Loadall division, at Rocester.

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New Management For Machinery Distributor

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New Management For Machinery Distributor: The UK distributor of Ferris, Wright and Spider mowers and Jensen woodchippers has announced new leadership this week.

Divisional Director Tim Lane, who established the Machinery Imports business at T H WHITE in 2016 and has been instrumental in the growth and success of the business, is moving onto a new role after 19 years at the company.

New Management For Machinery Distributor

Bill Johnston now assumes the role of Head of Machinery Imports from 1st February, taking full responsibility of the management of the division.

“I joined the T H WHITE Group in 2015 as a woodchipper specialist and since early 2017 have been responsible for Jensen UK, building relationships with dealers across the country and developing a comprehensive and growing dealer network for the brand” says Bill.

“My new role will involve further promotion of our four brands and further growth of the dealer network throughout the UK, using the momentum gained already in the past three years created by our experienced team.

“I have identified areas where we still have further opportunities for both our team and our existing dealers to grow and am excited for the future of our business.”

Bill will manage the Machinery Imports team of Area Sales Managers who will continue to support all the UK Ferris, Wright, Spider and Jensen dealers, as well as remaining the primary point of contact for Jensen woodchipper enquiries.

“Following a superb 18 months with Jensen, I feel we have barely started our journey with this premium brand. I’ll be working closely with our Jensen Woodchipper Specialist, Nathan Jacobs, to ensure we maintain the same level of dealer support.

“We have already identified opportunities for further gains in our parts business and will be appointing additional staff in that area in the coming weeks to support our parts offering.”

Focusing on the future of the business, Bill has impressive plans and aspirations in place for all departments, commenting:

“All four brands will benefit from technical and sales training that we are rolling out to our dealer network throughout 2019. We have plans in place to continue increasing brand awareness across the board and the business is forecasted to grow market share as a result.

“Particular focus will be given to our parts department where our sales and expertise grows year on year and with additional investment will create an enviable and highly efficient after-sales function.”

Prior to joining the T H WHITE Group, Bill spent 22 years managing Character Landscapes.

Based in central Wiltshire and operating from three depots, his company maintained a reputation for quality, with the business achieving significant repeat custom. Designing, building and maintaining some of the finest gardens in the South of England, working on a mix of private historic homes and parks, commercial developments and sensitive environmental sites.

Bill believes the success of his company was a direct result of the staff employed, with a diverse skill set and unequalled enthusiasm. Everyone within the company whatever their position, from the team of garden designers to the teams undertaking ground maintenance in all weathers were valued by both Bill and the customers.

“I fully recognise how a motivated team can achieve great success and will continue to pursue this aim throughout my career.”

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Wildflower Appoint Phil Singleton

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Wildflower Appoint Phil Singleton: The UK’s leading bio-diverse turf supplier has recently expanded their sales team.

Wildflower Turf Ltd have appointed Phil Singleton to assist them to further service their growing customer base in the north of England.

Wildflower Appoint Phil Singleton

Phil has a strong background in the horticultural and landscape industries, having formally worked for Icopal Limited (part of the BMI Group) and Greenscape UK (now trading as Fytogreen).

As former Deputy Chairman for GRO (Green Roof Organisation), Phil will use his skills to great advantage from the outset, with Wildflower Turf Ltd currently working on several large wildflower roof projects.

Phil’s appointment follows Wildflower Turf Ltd’s ambitious expansion in 2017, with a production site situated in Helperby, Yorkshire now complementing the company’s Hampshire production facility.

Managing Director of Wildflower Turf Ltd, James Hewetson-Brown, said, “We are delighted to appoint Phil to this role. As interest in, and demand for, our range of wildflower products continues to grow apace, we remain committed to providing our customers with outstanding service. Phil is highly qualified and will be instrumental in providing our northern partners with the exceptional level of support that our customers have come to expect from us.”

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IOG Young Board Memeber Addresses Barriers

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IOG Young Board Memeber Addresses Barriers: Martin Stephenson has been involved with the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Young Board of Directors, which is sponsored by Toro and Reesink Turfcare, for four years helping promote an industry he loves and addressing some of the barriers he perceives to a long-term career.

Martin’s CV in groundscare, despite his young years, impresses. Clearly a career in grounds was always on the cards. He went to East Durham College to study work-based horticulture in sports turf, and kickstarted his career as a groundsman at Bentley Cricket Club, before making the move to Ashbrooke Sports Club as assistant grounds manager. And the awards followed him wherever he went – three in total including the coveted IOG Most Promising Sportsturf Student of the Year award in 2013, now sponsored by Toro and Reesink.

IOG Young Board Memeber Addresses Barriers

Alastair Rowell, national accounts manager for grounds at Reesink, says: “There’s no doubt learning from those with experience is one of the best ways to progress and equally important is listening to the realities of life from those starting out in the profession, both of which are things we can all benefit from to help to push the industry forward. Here we learn what Martin got from his involvement with the Board.”

Martin continues: “I’ve now left my role as a groundsman for a career in sales with Turfcare Specialists Ltd. It’s a move that’s been one of the best decisions of my life but there’s no doubt I miss being groundsman for a sports venue, it’s in your blood for life.

“I’m really proud of my career as a groundsman and especially of my time as an IOG Young Board member. The reason I joined the Board was to raise the profile of the grounds industry for the young generation. Being involved was an absolute honour and brought many opportunities my way. I’ve networked with the greats from the industry and made some lifelong friends in the process.

“Not only that, but I’ve developed skills that will benefit my long-term career. It’s given me a professional and personal confidence and improved my organisation and communication skills. It’s given me the opportunity to travel to France to visit Stade France and Parcs de Princes and the Den Dreef in Belgium, which are memories that will stay with me forever.”

So why the career change? “I felt working in the North-East of England as a groundsman, progression was very difficult, and I would have had to consider moving down south or overseas to further my career. That was my personal reason for changing careers, but I’ve also heard that poor starting salaries and demanding working hours are putting people off joining the industry or are instrumental in a career change.

“That said, I’ve come across people whose passion for the industry is so strong those things haven’t been a deterrent. People who want it badly enough will, like me, find a way to make it work. I’m a firm believer that ‘hard work beats talent’, and any groundsperson working in the industry will see their hard work rewarded.”

So, what can young groundsmen and women do to help their development? “My advice would be to get yourself on as many courses you can with the IOG and local colleges and don’t be afraid to ask fellow peers questions, there’s a great network out there ready to help. Volunteering on match days at your local sports club to gain experience and help yourself understand what is expected at the highest level of the industry will benefit your overall development and mind set going forward.”

Although Martin’s time as a Young Board member has come to an end, he continues with his advisory role with Durham Cricket Board and maintains a great interest in how the role of a groundsman evolves and how the industry moves forward.

Commenting on the IOG Young Board, IOG CEO Geoff Webb says: “The Young IOG Board is a great way for groundsmen and women to get involved and help shape our industry. Membership unlocks doors and potential, putting young people into new situations and stretching them, but at the same time opening up limitless opportunities and experiences. The social media network now stands at over 1,000 members which shows that there is real passion and interest in our profession and we look to harness this with the Young Board programme.”

Alastair welcomed Martin’s involvement with the board and says he is a good example of the opportunities that are possible within the industry for ambitious and determined young people: “We’re hearing there’s a skills shortage in the sector and helping to address some of the barriers that might be affecting this is essential in attracting a new generation to the industry. We hope our role with the IOG developing the skills set and confidence of these young groundspeople and providing them with opportunities and experiences will go some way in addressing the situation.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career

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Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career: James Walker, a graduate of the African Turf Academy in Pretoria, South Africa, has praised Jacobsen for its commitment to education and helping to launch his greenkeeping career.

James graduated from the African Turf Academy, which is supported by Jacobsen and the R&A, in 2015.  James enjoyed success at the Academy based at the Silver Lakes Golf Estate and won the Student of the Year award in 2015.

Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career

Three years on, and James is now the assistant greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club, the brand-new 18-hole golf course based at the construction equipment manufacturer’s headquarters in Staffordshire. The golf course is supplied by Textron Golf, which includes equipment and vehicles from Jacobsen, E-Z-GO, Cushman and Textron Fleet Management.

“It’s amazing that Jacobsen supported me throughout my education in South Africa, and now I am here at JCB which uses the equipment,” James said. “The African Turf Academy was the only one to offer an international qualification, which was run by Elmwood College, and Jacobsen was the only company willing to invest in education in the turf industry across South Africa. I must thank Jacobsen, the R&A and The African Turf Academy for all they have done for me in my career so far.”

The African Turf Academy offers an International Greenkeeping Qualification, a two-year full-time programme of study running in conjunction with the Tour Player Development Programme. On completion of the course, students receive an internationally recognised National Certificate in Greenkeeping from Elmwood College in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“I was introduced to Euan Grant at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio this year,” James continued. “As the general manager at JCB Golf & Country Club, he was looking for greenkeepers to come and work at the new course. I was excited at the prospect; it sounded like an exciting project and something I was keen to be involved in.”

Jacobsen Support Greenkeeping Career

“James and I met at GIS in February 2018,” Euan grant explained. “As soon as we started to talk, I knew he was exactly the kind of person I wanted at the JCB course. He’s passionate about greenkeeping, extremely hardworking and down-to-earth and committed to his own professional development. I would also like to thank Jacobsen for giving people like James the opportunity to enter the turf maintenance profession and supporting the future of the industry.”

“I’m looking forward to my future here,” James concluded. “It’s a spectacular course with the best equipment and resources available, and whilst the climate is very different to South Africa, I’m adjusting well!”

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