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Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Louise Parratt

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices: A 39-strong group of John Deere apprentices are starting the next stage of their careers having qualified as service and parts technicians working in dealerships across the UK. The talented cohort’s achievements were recognised at a graduation ceremony in Nottingham on Friday night (20 October) at a […]

Toro taking care at Bathgate

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Olivia Dixon

Toro taking care at Bathgate: Bathgate Golf Club in West Lothian has taken delivery of a new Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary mower for the roughs and a used-certified Toro Workman GTX electric machine from distributor Reesink to aid the smooth running of the course. The Toro Workman GTX machine brings electric power to the club […]

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Louise Parratt

Toro taking care at Bathgate

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Olivia Dixon

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Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Louise Parratt

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices: A 39-strong group of John Deere apprentices are starting the next stage of their careers having qualified as service and parts technicians working in dealerships across the UK.

The talented cohort’s achievements were recognised at a graduation ceremony in Nottingham on Friday night (20 October) at a dinner attended by their friends, family and mentors who have been at their side throughout the course.

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

It was also an evening of celebration for 17 Master Technicians – individuals who have achieved the top-tier service technician qualification – who received their prizes at the event.

John Deere Branch Training Manager Allan Cochran said: “Our industry-leading apprenticeship programme has been running for more than 30 years and has trained well over 1,100 talented individuals who have gone on to have exciting careers across the John Deere dealership network.

“Graduation ceremonies are always special, and this was no exception. To be able to celebrate the fantastic achievements of those in the room was hugely rewarding for John Deere as a company, as well for the dealers who have helped nurture this talented group to reach its potential.

“We wish the graduates all the best as they embark on the next stage of their careers within the John Deere family, and look forward to working alongside them long into the future.”

It was an extra special night for two technicians who won overall awards. Samuel Crichton from Tuckwell’s Framfield depot in Sussex was named Technician Apprentice of the Year, while Kael Horton from Thomas Sherriff’s Hexham depot in Northumberland was presented with the Parts Apprentice of the Year award.

Oliver Coupland from the Retford Ripon Farm Services depot in South Yorkshire, and James Hancock from Smallridge Bros’ Barnstaple depot were both named as runners-up.

Among the Master Technician graduates, Craig Braithwaite was singled out for his outstanding effort in becoming the first person to complete an apprenticeship and Master Technician assessment in just four years.

The individual prizes were presented to the winners by Will Young – best known as Farmer Will on TikTok – who addressed the room on life as an influencer creating content on a farm.

During the evening, presenters acknowledged that many of the class of 2023 had taken on apprenticeships during one of the most challenging times in the programme’s history.

For many, the covid lockdown took effect just six months into their studies, meaning distanced learning replaced what had been intended as classroom sessions.

“The apprentices coped admirably with the challenge laid down to them,” Allan said. “Being able to adapt to new and changing surroundings and issues is part of being a technician, but this group of young people did themselves proud in the face of adversity.”

It was also the first graduation for apprentices from the Wirtgen Group; a construction machinery manufacturer which was purchased by John Deere in 2017.

John Deere’s apprenticeship programme is provided by ProVQ and involves students being trained in engineering, electronics, hydraulics, diagnostics, communication skills, computing, sales, and marketing.

Ag Tech and Turf Tech candidates study towards the land-based service engineering technician qualification (level 3), while in Parts Tech individuals complete a retailer apprenticeship standard (level 2).

New students are enrolled each year, and the standard programmes include on-the-job training and assessment as well as up to eight weeks each year at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre.

To find out more about starting a John Deere apprenticeship, or to apply for open positions, go to dealerjobs.deere.com.

2023 Apprentice Graduates:

Ben Burgess: Benjamin Cox, Honor Miles, Callum Clarke, Ethan Langley.

Cornthwaite Group: Benjamin Glover, Kyle Wells, Graeme Riddick, Alfie Thompson, Thomas Howard.

Farol: William Duggins, Daniel O’Donohue, Makayla Wench, Andrew Gray, Luke Hand, Joseph Scott.

Geary’s Garage: Patrick Cremin.

John Deere Forestry: Sean Cochrane, Jamie Duncan.

MacGregor Industrial Supplies: Duncan Fraser-Anderson.

Masons Kings: William Chaffe.

Ripon Farm Services: Liam Dunn, Oliver Coupland.

Smallridge Bros: James Hancock.

Stephen W Moore: Reuben Bingham, Dominic O’Kane.

Tallis Amos: Michael Cock, Ellis Morris, Ben Vose, Lewis Gutteridge,

Thomas Sherriff: Cameron Marshall, Fraser Robertson, Conall Fairbairn, Jamie Clyne, Kael Horton.

Tuckwells: William Coleman, Sam Crichton.

Wirtgen Group: Thomas Holt, Jack Anderson, Stan Smith.

2023 Master Technician Graduates:

Ben Burgess: Cameron Smith, Lewis Jaggard, Callum Luker, Jonathan Smith.

Cornthwaite Group: Craig Braithwaite, James Sudell, Ed Crocker, Matthew Higgins.

Farol: Iain MacKinnon, James O’Neill, Jamie Speir, Lawrence Thompson, Matthew Welbourne, Alistair Donaldson.

Ripon Farm Services: Andrew Smith.

Tuckwells: Oscar Mayhew, Oliver Rumsey.

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Toro taking care at Bathgate

October 30, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Olivia Dixon

Toro taking care at Bathgate: Bathgate Golf Club in West Lothian has taken delivery of a new Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary mower for the roughs and a used-certified Toro Workman GTX electric machine from distributor Reesink to aid the smooth running of the course.

The Toro Workman GTX machine brings electric power to the club in the most sustainable of ways having had a life before Bathgate at another club.

Toro taking care at Bathgate

Found through Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme, which sees clubs able to access the best used Toro machinery available in the UK, it has been through a multipoint check by trained technicians at Reesink Scotland and came with a comprehensive 12-month warranty.

Head greenkeeper Peter Smith says: “The machine had very few hours on it and had been thoroughly checked over by the Reesink team so what we got felt like new really. It was an incredibly reasonable purchase and more economical than buying a new diesel/petrol machine.

“As with any utility vehicle, its primary job is to make life easy around the course, aid its smooth running, and it does just that, equal to or exceeding its diesel/petrol counterpart.”

Coinciding with the Workman, was the arrival of a Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary rough mower. Cutting the rough grass at Bathgate Golf Club can be challenging as the total area comprise the largest span of turf to maintain and typically house the areas with the most obstructions such as trees, bushes and bunkers etc. so there’s some work to be put in especially when being used daily like as is the case here.

Peter articulates that the Toro Groundsmaster 4300 has been delivering on all fronts: “This machine has been going out daily since it arrived in June and we’re really impressed with the quality of cut, the finish it leaves behind and the speed with which it gets the job done”.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

Toro taking care at Bathgate

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

Toro taking care at Bathgate

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices: A 39-strong group of John Deere apprentices are starting the next stage of their careers having qualified as service and parts technicians working in dealerships across the UK.

Toro taking care at Bathgate

Toro taking care at Bathgate: Bathgate Golf Club in West Lothian has taken delivery of a new Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary mower for the roughs and a used-certified Toro Workman GTX electric machine from distributor Reesink to aid the smooth running of the course.

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