Barnsley College is proud to announce a significant investment in the agricultural sector with the acquisition of two state-of-the-art tractors.

The College has purchased a Massey Ferguson M 4709 and an MLT 625-75 H from B&B Tractors to enhance the practical experience of their agriculture students and better prepare them for real-world opportunities.

This investment will provide Agriculture students at the College’s Wigfield Farm campus the opportunity to gain valuable skills that can lead directly to employment in the industry upon completion of their studies.

The Massey Ferguson M 4709 is a high-performance, reliable tractor that offers versatility across a wide range of farming applications. Paired with the MLT 625-75 H, a compact and highly efficient telehandler, students will train on the latest agricultural machinery and master the skills required for modern farm operations.

Emily Hanson is studying Level 3 Agriculture expressed her enthusiasm about learning to drive the new fleet.

She said: “Being able to train on these tractors will give me the skills to have a competitive edge in the industry as a farmer – it’s great to know that I’m gaining these skills as part of my course, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel!”

In addition to the practical skills gained, students will also benefit from learning the latest agricultural techniques, health and safety regulations, and machinery maintenance – key competencies sought by farming employers.

Macauley Parkin, Agriculture Course Leader at the College, added: “We are committed to ensuring our Agriculture students leave College with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in the industry.

“These new tractors will give our students hands-on experience with the type of machinery used in farming, positioning them as ideal candidates for employment once they finish their course."

Barnsley College offers full-time vocational courses in Agriculture. For more information and to apply for a course, visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/agriculture.   <http://www.barnsley.ac.uk/agriculture>You can also explore the Wigfield Farm campus at their Open Day on Wednesday 16 October 2024, from 4.00pm to 7.00pm.