| Education
Popular tractor scholarship returns for third year
A Cornish family-run machinery company is continuing to support the next generation of land-based engineers with the launch of the third year of its successful scholarship.
V incent Tractors and Plant, based in Fraddon, has 52 years’ experience in the agricultural engineering industry and is keen to share this knowledge by partnering Duchy College Rosewarne.
The successful applicant of the scholarship gets a work placement at Vincent Tractors & Plant as well as £ 1500 worth of sponsorship in the form of tools, laptop, a telehandler licence and travel to their training on Duchy College’ s Level 2 land-based engineering certificate.
This unique opportunity in Cornwall offers an amazing entry route into a sector that has great career opportunities due to the unique skills required, according to Paul Vincent, Vincent Tractors and Plant Managing Director.
“ We are providing the scholarship as we want to encourage youngsters into the industry as it is vitally important that the next generation of engineers is trained to a high standard,” he explained.
Last year’ s successful applicant, Morgan Gratrix, will soon finish his year with Vincent Tractors and Plant and will take advantage of one of the scholarship perks, to have an interview for an apprenticeship within the team. Morgan, 17 from Camborne, explained what benefits the scholarship has provided him.
“ I spend two days a week at the depot on work placement and three days a week in college. At Vincent’ s I learn from a variety of team members about a wide range of machinery. I have received a tool voucher to help me towards equipment, I have completed my telehandler test and they help me with my transport to college.”
“ The scholarship has broadened my horizons, I have learnt about not only ground care, but tractors, agricultural machinery and plant as well.”
The scholarship ran for the first time in 2016 and since has seen the student, Aidan Kent, 18 from Nanpean, progressing on to study an apprenticeship within the company.
The course at Duchy College provides students with all the skills and experience they need to forge a successful career in land-based service engineering or to branch out into other fields such as becoming a construction plant engineer or off shore engineer.
Danny Sellors, Program Manager for land-based engineering at the College, said he was“ thrilled” that Vincent Tractors and Plant has continued to offer the scholarship.
“ It shows the close ties that the course has with industry,” he continued.
“ Land-based engineering is extremely diverse, it covers agriculture, forestry, construction plant equipment, horticulture and professional ground care. It is a rapidly evolving industry that is seeing technological advancements at an outstanding pace. Duchy College is a perfect setting to study for a career in this valuable and rewarding industry.”
To apply for the scholarship please visit https:// www. duchy. ac. uk / campaign / l anding-page / agriculturalengineering-scholarships / or call 0330 123 2523. For more information on the range of courses available at Duchy College visit www. duchy. ac. uk
Pershore College showcases‘ field to fork’ industry day
Pupils from schools in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire recently received an insight into the many career opportunities in agriculture and horticulture at an industry open day hosted by Pershore College.
T he event on June 7, provided Year 9 pupils from Trinity High, Redditch and Winchcombe School, Cheltenham with a better understanding of how this innovative sector is meeting the challenges of food and plant production with the latest agricultural technologies.
The day, which was organised by WCG Worcestershire in partnership with the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, consisted of industry talks, careers advice and a tour around the college’ s extensive facilities to see a number of engaging demonstrations. These included arboriculture, agri-tech, animal science and the use of drones in orchard management. A delegation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs( Defra) was also in attendance.
Professor Roy Kennedy, leader of the agri-tech programme at Pershore College, led students and guests around the dedicated agritech laboratories which house the electronic, robotic and computerbased technologies that are used to educate students on the modern applications of agri-tech.
Louise Laxton, teacher from Trinity High School, Redditch, said:“ The industry day provided an engaging and unique insight into the breadth of opportunities available in horticulture upon leaving school. A real eye opener.”
Claire Wilmot, teacher from Winchcombe School, said:“ An amazing day, such a great opportunity for our students to experience the wonderful facilities at Pershore College, and to gain an insight into the variety of careers within agriculture and arboriculture.”
Visitors and students also viewed the live field-based experimentation and demonstration facility that enables the college, local horticultural businesses and students to work together on solving industry challenges through pioneering research trials.
One of the industry speakers was Bal Padda, Commercial Director of Vicarage Nurseries, a family-owned soft fruit grower situated in the Vale of Evesham. The award-winning business is currently working with the college on hydroponic strawberry production. Bal, who brought in fresh strawberries for a taster session, said:“ It was pleasure to be invited to the industry day at Pershore College as it is
essential to encourage the next generation to look into careers in horticulture and agri-tech.
“ UK horticulture offers a wide range of jobs and careers and this is something we wanted to highlight to students on the day. Hopefully they could see- and enjoy- the fruits of our labour, and got a taste of the success we have had over the years. These young people are the future of horticulture and with an ever-increasing world population, they could play an important role in feeding millions.”
Neil Coker, Group Vice Principal, WCG Worcestershire, said:“ WCG has worked in partnership with Worcestershire LEP, Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board and local employers to highlight the wide range of career opportunities in food production, processing, manufacturing and retail. Our industry day was a fantastic opportunity for local school pupils to understand more about this innovative sector, hear from experts and get hands-on with some of the technology we have at the college.
“ Our LEP-funded agri-tech centre is at the forefront of land-based education and training in the region, with the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agri-technology( Food Production and Plant Science) providing a superb option for post-16 learning. This qualification also makes an excellent platform for entry into degree level study or employment.
“ It was also a privilege for us to host a delegation from Defra who were clearly impressed with our facilities, programmes and with the level of enthusiasm shown by all the young people who attended this event.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:“ I’ m delighted to have seen so many young people showing a keen interest in Worcestershire ' s thriving agri-tech and horticultural industries at Pershore College. Agri-tech is one of Worcestershire’ s key sectors for economic growth and it’ s great that young people are being taught about the many careers available that can support the long-term growth for this thriving sector.”
Pershore College offers a wide range of horticulture courses including apprenticeships, full and part-time courses and degrees. For more information, go to www. wcg. ac. uk / horticulture or call 0300 456 0049
www. farmingmonthly. co. uk July 2018 | Farming Monthly | 47