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Ceremony marks next step for John Deere apprentices

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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

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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Bookings open for Bernhard Academy programmes

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Bookings open for Bernhard Academy programmes: The Bernhard Academy, the turf industry’s foremost education provider, has unveiled its all-new programme of educational courses, that are now available for booking at its three Academy sites around the UK via the new Bernhard Academy website.

The new courses have been carefully curated over the past 12-months and are designed to help greenkeepers, turf professionals, and mechanics take their skills to the next level. The courses offer valuable opportunities for attendees to take away real-world skills and solutions that can enhance the performance of their turf maintenance facility on a day-to-day basis.

Bookings open for Bernhard Academy programmes

Bookings open for Bernhard Academy programmes

Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, Steven Nixon, said: “We are thrilled to see this new programme of courses come to life after months of research and development. We’ve really been working hard to truly understand what it is that the turf industry needs, to continue moving forward, so we are excited to offer courses that address those needs head-on.”

Bernhard Academy has partnered with respected golf venues around the UK and installed bespoke facilities tailored to turf maintenance workshops. Each of the new courses will be delivered in a world-class learning environment at either Moortown Golf Club or Royal Norwich Golf Club in England – in addition to the Bernhard Academy headquarters in Haverhill – and Gleneagles in Scotland. There will also be an interactive online webinar series, which will be delivered live from the Bernhard Academy in Haverhill.

The new programme features educational courses that fall under two categories: Management or Technical. Both categories will cover a range of essential topics to help achieve success in turf maintenance.

The Bernhard Academy Management Series is an interactive and engaging series of workshops that will provide guidance to those in supervisory, middle management, and senior management positions, supporting the transition through their careers. The courses available to book are:

– The power of understanding others: Develop crucial interpersonal skills to foster effective relationships within teams and with stakeholders
– Using data and information for solid decision making: Learn how to utilise data for well-informed decision-making in turf management

– Principles of innovation and how to generate great ideas in the workplace: Explore the foundations of innovation and techniques for generating creative ideas in a professional setting
– Managing finance, prepare and control budgets: Learn the fundamentals of budgets and how to deliver to your business needs
– Stakeholder communication and engagement techniques that work: Master the art of stakeholder management, a critical aspect of successful turf maintenance projects
– Transparent project management tools to achieve great results: Acquire project management skills to plan, execute, and oversee turf-related projects efficiently
– Change – how to prepare and manage effectively: Understand strategies for effectively preparing for and managing organisational change
– Performance management and unlocking maximum productivity: Learn techniques for optimising productivity through effective performance management

Additionally, the Bernhard Academy offers a technical, skills-based course:

– Cutting unit setup and sharpening techniques: This course provides hands-on training in the precise setup and maintenance of cutting units, ensuring agronomic and economical benefits and best quality of turf presentation and health

Craig Haldane, Director of Education for the Bernhard Academy, added: “At the Bernhard Academy, we are committed to empowering individuals in the sports turf and club management industry with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their roles and careers. Our courses are designed to meet industry demands and have been created to allow attendees to take the next step in their career. We look forward to welcoming passionate participants that are eager to learn and continue driving this great industry forwards.”

Seize the opportunity to enhance your turf maintenance career by securing a place in one of the Bernhard Academy’s educational courses today and embark on a journey of professional growth.

For booking information, course details, registration, and support please visit the new user-friendly Bernhard Academy website: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

For more information on the Bernhard Academy, you can visit the LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/company/bernhard-academy/

You can also find the Bernhard Academy on Twitter at @BernhardAcademy or on Instagram at @bernhard_academy.

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Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC

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Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC: A range of Helly Hansen workwear clothing supplied by Agrovista Amenity has been well received by the greenkeeping team at The West Lancashire Golf Club in Liverpool.

Helly Hansen workwear, available from Agrovista Amenity, has been specially designed by a team of experts to be of the highest quality workwear and outdoor clothing available.

Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC

Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC

Their ongoing product development means they are always on the cutting edge of outdoor clothing technology, meaning you can rest assured the outdoor wear you’re looking at is superb value and allows the team to work productively year round, in challenging weather conditions.

Stuart Hogg, Course Manager at The West Lancashire Golf Club, believes that nothing compares to the quality of the clothing.

“We’ve always had Helly Hansen workwear clothing,” he said. “They are good quality and reliable for the weather we encounter here. The team have enjoyed wearing the gilets and the soft-shell jackets over the years, and they have lasted the time which means that we are not always buying these items every year.

Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC

Helly Hansen the perfect fit for West Lancashire GC

“This year we have started using Helly Hansen trousers and shorts which have gone down really well with the team. To have all the staff feeling comfortable while they are working is great – the cost becomes insignificant.

“I have eight members of staff – all of whom want different features, and each do a variety of jobs from mechanics to bunker raking. For them to all be happy means that I will keep on going back to this range.”

From base layers to boots, a complete range of high quality Helly Hansen clothing is available from Agrovista Amenity. The clothing can also be personalised with logos, names and sponsors.

The new Agrovista workwear catalogue can be viewed by clicking here.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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77 years of SALTEX for Dennis Mowers

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77 years of SALTEX for Dennis Mowers: Dennis Mowers is continuing its long-standing tradition of being at every SALTEX since the show was founded and will be showcasing a wide range of leading battery-powered equipment on stand E070.

SALTEX visitors can expect to see the following line-up of products on the Dennis Mowers stand:

77 years of SALTEX for Dennis Mowers

77 years of SALTEX for Dennis Mowers

ES-510

This new mower is based on the Dennis FT510, with a choice of 12 interchangeable cassettes, the ES-510 is capable of scarifying down to -10mm. Ideal for fine turf it has the power to cut 4-5 bowling greens or approximately 10km on a single charge.

The current FT cassettes will also fit the ES-510.

ES-860

Users of the Dennis G860 cylinder mower will no doubt see familiarities in the new ES-860. This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks. The power of the battery system ensures the machine is capable of cutting at least 3-4 pitches on a single charge or verticutting a full pitch without anxiety. Furthermore, current G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860.

ES-36

The ES-36 provides a perfect finish every time and capable of cutting 2-3 pitches on a single charge. The powerful battery system allows the addition of a trailer seat to be attached and still achieve a minimum of 20km of cutting. A uniquely developed micro adjuster makes it very easy to set the bottom blade to cylinder.

ES-34R

The ES-34R rotary mower has twin contra rotating blades with the height of cut controlled by an easy to use ‘click’ system. Suction and blade speed can be adapted to meet the most challenging collection conditions. The mower is also available with optional front wheels, smooth or wiele roller, and has excellent sight lines.

ES-22 Ultra

Users of the Dennis Razor Ultra will be familiar with this machine, which features an ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces. Using a 7 or 11 bladed cutting cylinder and groomer reel, this 560mm (22”) battery mower produces a quality of cut which provides an ultra-fine finish on bowling greens, golf greens and tees, and cricket pitches.

ES-26

Easy to use, superb balance, control, and easy pull back for accurate alignment of next run are just some of the features of the ES-26. With a 26” cutting width, this mower is available with a standard front roller for maintaining fine turf sports surfaces such as golf greens and tees, or with the larger front roller for maintaining ornamental lawns and gardens.

The E-Series features a robust LCD keypad screen which provides the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information. The mowers take just 2-3 hours for an ultra-fast full battery recharge.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Prestigious award win for Reesink Hydro-Scapes

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Prestigious award win for Reesink Hydro-Scapes: Reesink Hydro-Scapes has hit the ground running by winning the National Support Network (NSN) Service Award for 2022 in recognition of its outstanding service, training and support for UK Toro irrigation customers.

Toro’s National Support Network (NSN) was founded in 1991 as the first dedicated customer support network in the irrigation industry. Its purpose is to give customers confidence and peace of mind through complete central control system operational assurance.

Prestigious award win for Reesink Hydro-Scapes

Prestigious award win for Reesink Hydro-Scapes

To achieve this prestigious award, distributors must exhibit a strong passion for customer service, excellent product knowledge, have advocated for their customers, held successful regional NSN training events, and attained a high percentage of both active NSN customers and extended year NSN customers.

Reesink Hydro-Scapes endeavours to provide customers with the best irrigation and water aeration solutions on the market. Robert Jackson, division manager at Reesink Hydro-Scapes explains what this recognition means to the division. He says: “To have achieved this award is a real honour and lets us know that we’re doing something right.

“Our strategy has always been to deliver the best customer service with all of our business partners, including Toro. Irrigation is a big investment for most customers, and there are a lot of elements to consider to put the correct systems in place. Here at Reesink we always strive to put the customer first, taking what they want out of a system and pairing it with our team’s expertise on our products, as well as the wider irrigation landscape. The goal is to make our customers’ lives as easy as possible from discovering Toro Irrigation solutions to enjoying the end product.

It’s of the utmost importance that they feel secure with not only the product we’re providing but with the team behind it too.”

To learn more about what the award-winning Reesink Hydro-Scapes has to offer call 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk for further information.

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