John Deere has graduated 35 young service technicians in its latest Ag Tech, Parts and Turk advanced apprenticeship. Oxfordshire apprentice and Farol employee, Charlie Pipps was named apprentice of the year for 2015 while parts apprentice of the year was taken by Frant Stearman of Norfolk based Ben Burgess. Mr Pipps takes away a crystal plaque, certificate and vouchers for workshop tools totalling £250 whilst Mr Stearman also takes home vouchers and a certificate.

Roger Hawlor, assessor and Richard Jenkins, trainer said: “Charlie has been a first class student since the beginning of his apprenticeship. His application, effort and motivation throughout have been outstanding, and he has been an excellent ambassador for both the apprenticeship programme and the Farol dealership.”Farol agricultural service manager Phil Jenkinson added: “This is a fantastic accolade for Charlie who, since joining Farol in 2012, has excelled throughout his apprenticeship. He has clearly demonstrated what he has learnt through the training scheme by building excellent customer relationships. Charlie serves as role model by showing just what can be achieved with hard work, and he continues to help our up-and-coming apprentices achieve their goals.”

Mr Stearmans assessor and trainer, Amanda White added: “Grant has worked very hard throughout his apprenticeship and thoroughly deserves this recognition for his efforts,” Ben Burgess & Co service director Jimmy Lockhart added: “This is an excellent achievement and it’s great to see all of Grant’s hard work pay off. Grant is an important member of our parts team at Beeston and we look forward to helping him continue to develop in his role. We hope his achievement will encourage our apprentices to aim high and also encourage those thinking of taking on an apprenticeship to join us.”

The group of third year students received their certificates at the John Deere factory in Mannheim, Germany during the annual graduation visit to the Company’s factory.

The John Deere three-year apprenticeships currently lead to the BAGMA/City & Guilds of London Institute 4025 agricultural/groundcare service engineers NVQ Level 2 & 3 certificates and Level 3 IMI Diploma in vehicle parts competence. All future Ag and Turf Tech apprentices will qualify with the IMI Level 2 & 3 Diploma in Landbased Engineering.Apprentices can also choose to complete their education for a fourth year to gain the John Deere Diploma and register at LTA2 level in the industry’s Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme, while starting their adult training within the John Deere University.