JOHN DEERE has opened which it says is the first purpose-built apprentice training facility aimed at training young people for a working life in agricultural engineering.

In conjunction with training provider, ProVQ, the new centre is close to it HQ at Langar, Notts, at St James Business Park, Radcliffe-on-Trent and has been designed solely for dealer apprentices enrolled on the company's award-winning training programmes.

Its three-year ag and turf tech apprenticeships lead to the IMI Level 2 and 3 diplomas in landbased engineering. Each year group trains at the centre for eight weeks a year in four blocks of two weeks, with some days spent at Langar when working with larger machines such as combines and self-propelled forage harvesters. The two-year parts tech apprenticeship, leading to a Level 3 diploma, is mostly work-based at the sponsoring dealer, with four weeks of training taking place at Radcliffe.

The centre features a reception, air conditioned classrooms, workshop areas, changing and washing facilities plus a dining room. Provision has also been made for further expansion, with plans in place for two more classrooms and a small workshop/laboratory when required.