BTEC Extended Diploma in Land-based Technology – Claas Agricultural Technician Apprenticeship
Category: Engineering
Course Type: Work Based Training
Qualification: BTEC Extended Diploma
Course Details:
Think of a piece of high tech equipment with a 600hp DaimlerChrysler engine, satellite navigation, laser guidance systems, integrated hydraulics and electrics and some of the most sophisticated computer hardware available.
You could be the technician working on one of these, a CLAAS Lexion 600 combine, one of the largest output combine harvesters in the world. You will be servicing, maintaining and fixing it, if it goes wrong. You’ll be using a range of tools from computer diagnostic equipment to spanners, but the most important tool is your competence and expertise.
It usually takes 4 years to qualify, and within this time you will gain invaluable practical experience working alongside Technicians with your sponsoring dealership when not at College.
The National Diploma is a unit based qualification. Attendance at College will be undertaken in blocks. All 3 years will include direct input from CLAAS to underpin the programme. In Year 4 the content will be controlled exclusively by CLAAS UK with additional elements added to the programme, specifically to accelerate your contribution to the dealer network and to enhance your qualifications and career potential.
In addition:
In Year 2 you will spend a two week block in the Training Academy at CLAAS Headquarters, Saxham, Suffolk.
In Year 3 you could spend a two week block at CLAAS Headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany
In Year 4 you could have the opportunity to transfer to New Zealand or Australia for three months.
To undertake this programme you must be employed by a CLAAS dealer.
On completion of this qualification you would be in a position to register with the Institution of Agricultural Engineers as LTA2
Entry Requirements:
- Three Standard Grades (Grade 3 or above) in Maths, English and a Scence subject
or
- Four GCSEs (Grade C or above) including Maths, English and a Science Subject
STUDENT CASE STUDY
Mark Thomas from Sanquhar left school and started work with Buccleuch Estates, then went to work as a fencing contractor. He had always had an interest in tractors and farm machinery, and was becoming discontented with his fencing career, so decided on a change.
That’s when he came to Barony College on the full-time Land-Based Engineering course. As part of Mark’s work experience on the course, he worked with John McNae (Claas Dealer) at Tarbolton. They were very impressed with Mark’s attitude and application, so much so that they offered him a job when he completed the course. Mark felt that the knowledge he learnt at the College stood him in good stead for working in the industry.
