At the end of October, CLAAS UK welcomed this year’s new apprentice intake of 30 students to the CLAAS ACADEMY at Saxham for their Apprentice induction and the start of their first training block. Their arrival coincided with the publication of the first full inspection by Ofsted of the CLAAS Apprentice Programme, in which they highly rate the training that the new apprentices will receive over the next four years of their course.
CLAAS is the only UK machinery manufacturer as a registered apprenticeship training provider to deliver a specific in—house apprenticeship under one roof. This year’s cohort is made up of students from 15 CLAAS dealerships throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland who, over the next four years, will study for a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Land-Based Service Engineering Technician. Based in the CLAAS ACADEMY’s purpose-built facilities that include specialist fabrication, engine workshops and classrooms, their training will be delivered by dedicated CLAAS trainers, alongside specialist product trainers from the main CLAAS ACADEMY, so ensuring that these engineers of the future have been trained to the highest level on the latest CLAAS machinery as recognised by Ofsted.
Ofsted praise
In its first full inspection by Ofsted, the CLAAS ACADEMY and its team of Apprentice trainers and Coordinators have been recognised for the commendable progress and development of the CLAAS in-house Apprenticeship Programme.
Established in 2022, the CLAAS Apprentice Programme was curated to provide CLAAS Apprentices with the highest level of training, knowledge and skills to better meet the demands and expectations of both CLAAS dealers and their customers. At the same time, the course provides the cohort with access and specialist training on all the latest CLAAS products and enables the students to be fully integrated into the culture of CLAAS, its extensive product range and its ethos.
In their inaugural report of the training that the students receive, CLAAS UK achieved an overall rating of ‘Good’ by Ofsted inspectors, confirming: ‘Apprentices develop the high-level technical skills they
need to service and repair machinery such as tractors and combines. They learn from trainers with extensive land-based engineering experience using the latest industry-standard facilities.’
‘Apprentices benefit from training in small groups and receiving individual coaching from trainers. Apprentices are highly motivated to learn new skills which they practice at work.’
In terms of the structure of the CLAAS Apprenticeship course, the report again recognised this as ‘Good’ and rated the Behaviour and Attitude of students as ‘Outstanding’.
‘Leaders work successfully with employers across the CLAAS dealership network. Leaders understand fully employers’ skills development needs and offer appropriate apprenticeships in response.’
‘Trainers expertly structure the content of courses to meet apprentices’ and employers’ needs. Apprentices learn about engineering materials and using hand tools safely. They learn how to manufacture components to the tolerance of exacting engineering drawings. This provides apprentices with a broad range of engineering skills that apply to their current job and a variety of engineering roles.’
‘Trainers build on apprentices’ understanding and knowledge in lessons most effectively. Trainers plan the subjects they teach logically.’
The inspectors also recognised how, more generally, the CLAAS Apprenticeship provides students with effective support where needed to develop their mathematical, English and presentational skills, and for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
In conclusion, the report stated that: ‘Trainers ensure that apprentices have a good understanding of the career opportunities in land-based engineering on completion of their apprenticeship. Apprentices know that they can progress quickly to the recognised status of Master Mechanic before working towards the coveted Master Technician.’
Commenting on the high praise from their initial Ofsted inspection, Joe Bonito, Head of CLAAS ACADEMY beamed: “We’re thrilled to have received such a positive rating on our first Ofsted inspection. The rating is a direct reflection of the commitment and expertise of our team at CLAAS UK and the value our in-house approach offers to our new recruits. This hands-on experience not only prepares our apprentices for success in their roles throughout their course with us, but also opens doors to accelerate their career opportunities at CLAAS.”
The new intake of 30 students come from 15 dealerships throughout the UK and Ireland:
England
- BW Mack (Downham Market)
- CLAAS Eastern (Sleaford, Sinderby & Markham Moor)
- CLAAS WESTERN (Cirencester & Evesham)
- HAMBLYS (Launceston & Bishops Lydeard)
- MANNS (Essex, Kent, Market Harborough & Halesworth)
- MORRIS CORFIELD (Broseley)
- OLIVERS (Reading & Winchester)
- RICKERBY (Carlisle, Penrith & Cornhill)
Wales
- RIVERLEA (Cowbridge)
Scotland
- GORDONS (Dumfries)
- SELLARS (Oldmeldrum, Cupar, Letham)
Ireland
- BREENS (Cashel)
- ERWINS (Crumlin)
- KELLYS (Borris)
- LEINSTER FARM MACHINES (Duleek)
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