Passionate About Engineering: Q&A with the AGCO Apprentices

 

17-year-olds Charlie and George started their AGCO Apprenticeship in August 2022. Part of the twelve lucky apprentices selected for the first year of the apprenticeship scheme, each of them has been based since June at a different Hamilton Ross Group depot – and under the supervision of the local Service Manager – for the working side of their training: Charlie in Tarbolton (Hamilton Brothers) and George in Cupar (R&R Machinery).

Our Service Manager Richard Maxwell and our Marketing Manager Justine Fourny met with the two of them and the Course Tutor Mark Thomas at SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries, where the agricultural engineering course is taught.

The full cohort of apprentices and their tutors at SRUC Barony Campus

• What is the practice/study schedule in here?

Mark – It’s approximately 50/50, split between mornings and afternoons, depending on what day of the week it is. I try to keep an equal balance, so it’s not too monotonous. They might have a morning class with a break in the middle, and then all afternoon in the workshop, or likewise. That’s in a 4-week block rotation before they go back to their employers.

• What’s specific about the AGCO Apprenticeship?

Mark – It’s direct manufacturer targeted. Admittedly this is only Year 1 Block 2, and we’re still in the preliminary stages, but a lot of the information that has been delivered – especially by myself – has targeted and referenced the AGCO umbrella products (Massey Ferguson, Valtra & Fendt) which I’ve spent most of my working life alongside. We are heavily supported by AGCO UK as well, electronically and diagnostically. As the guys start to progress more, they’ll have at their disposal phenomenal equipment to up their game.

• Why is the launch of the AGCO apprenticeship time-relevant?

Mark – It’s a basic understanding that you need to have of these machines, as far as I’m concerned. Coming into this industry, these things are now that advanced electronically, they’re talking to us, we’re talking to them. Agriculture is now the largest consumer robotic industry in the world, that’s overtaking the car industry. We are the cutting edge, we’re miles ahead of them – they’re just catching up to where we were ten years ago. The industry needs us as much as we need it.

Richard – The training extends beyond here, there’s always new products coming out, and you’ve got to stay ahead. It’s not even a case of once you get the fundamentals, you take it from there – you’ll get the advantage of going on brand-specific training courses while you’re in the job.

• What are the expected developments for next year?

Mark – We’re hoping to up the numbers from twelve to sixteen. There’s no females on the course yet, but we’ve had some enquiries. It would be nice to see some female students coming into this industry, which is rather heavily male-dominated – not just in the college, but in the dealer network as well. We need to make sure to advertise that we have jobs for everyone.

• What made you apply to the AGCO Apprenticeship?

Charlie – I was in the NC (National Certificate) course last year, which is a bit less advanced than what this course is. Mark was the one who told me about Hamilton Brothers.

Mark – Charlie was a full-time National Certificate student last year, which is an entry requirement for this IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) apprenticeship training programme. It gave him his basic foundation skills to be employed by Hamilton Brothers at Tarbolton.

George – At school, I was into manufacturing, and I really enjoyed the design side of stuff. I approached Steven (Player), and then I got the job.

• Did you know about the Hamilton Ross Group before you joined?

George – Yes, my depot is just at the bottom of the hill from my house.

Charlie – I didn’t know about them until Mark told me to apply for the course, but now I realise how big they actually are.

 

• Is there a difference between Hamilton Brothers and R&R?

George – We’re all part of the same company, it’s just different names really. We’re all pulling in the same direction.

• How’s the atmosphere within the apprenticeship?

Charlie – It’s not too serious, otherwise you would only get fed up. We’re guided in the stuff that we need to do, and we get additional paperwork and supplementary notes to support our learning.

Richard – It’s got to be fun. You’re here to learn, obviously, you’re all employed and part of the company, showing our colours, as well as AGCO’s – so from that point of view, you’ve got to be professional – but when you’re learning you’re meant to have a laugh because it makes it better.

• What has been your biggest learning yet?

Charlie – Probably the engine. I did a similar thing last year, but this course is a bit more in depth.

Mark – The previous block has been heavily focused on engines – we got a full mechanical engine, that we could pull out, test, measure, and then rebuild. We’ve just come to the final stage of rebuild this week, as you probably saw we were trying to start the engine, and then next week will be test and assess. I’ll drop a couple of faults in there as well, to allow them to make a diagnosis and rectify. That’s not something that is done heavily normally, but myself coming from this background, I wanted to push the lads towards real world issues. The way a technician handles issues affects aftersales, which then affects customer satisfaction, and whether customers come back to the dealership over time. There’s a great saying that goes, “Sales sell the first, service sells the rest”. If customers are satisfied with the service, they will always come back. At the end of the day, all customers care about, is getting their machine working – they don’t want downtime.

• How much homework do you have to do during the week?

George – You get the odd bit, but it’s not heavily homework-based. It’s a lot more practical.

• Do you prefer to be here or to be at the depot?

George – At the depot. I just like doing stuff, and it’s quite fun being there. You’re learning here as well, obviously, but you’re doing more practical stuff at the depot. Most of the time there’s somebody else with you, but you get to interact with the customers.

Charlie – Everyone’s friendly at the depot. They’re good crack.

• What is it like with the other apprentices on the course?

George – We all stay on site, and go home on a Friday, apart from the one who stays in Dumfries.

Charlie – Most days we finish at 4pm, so we hang out together, or go into town.

• What has been your favourite thing so far?

George – Probably rebuilding the engine, seeing it all go back together.

Charlie – Looking at the cooling system, the radiators and the water pumps.

• What are you most looking forward to?

Charlie – Being able to do the job on my own, and gaining the trust of the customers.

• What skills are most important to succeed?

Charlie – You need to have a wee bit of common sense. Because if you’re doing something, and it’s kind of obvious what you’re trying to do, and then you do it wrong, it could end up badly. So, always listen to what you’re being told.

Mark – Honesty is an important part of the role. You’ve got to be honest with the customer in the field, with your colleagues and management, because we’re all in it together.

Richard – You’re part of a big team, and you’ll be in that team yourself. Going forward, there’ll be people asking you the questions, and then you’ll have to pass that knowledge onto the next generation.

• What are your next goals?

Charlie – Becoming a Master Technician.

George – Becoming a referee, someone that people can ask questions to.

Richard – From a company point of view, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out. If you work hard, you can achieve things a lot quicker than others have. Opportunities differ from place to place, but as a group, we like to promote from within, so there’s a lot out there – a van of your own, Service Manager, Depot Manager, etc. It’s good to have a goal, and don’t think you’re aiming too high.

• What’s your favourite brand?

Charlie – Massey Ferguson. I think they’re superior tractors than Valtra, but they’re not as expensive as Fendt for the equivalent size of tractor.

George – Probably driving a Fendt, and fixing a Massey. I find Fendt tractors are more comfortable.

• What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Charlie – Some of the other boys at work, they say that the more time and effort you put into the job, the more the company will be willing to put into you. Like, usually you would get a van at the end of your course, but if I keep going the way I’m going, it could be before that.

George – Work hard, and it’ll pay off.

• What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?

Charlie – Those teachers saying that I needed to get an A in in all these subjects that I had no interest in, or I wouldn’t get anywhere. Now I’m on my way to having a full-time job, and it’s something that I want to do.

• What do you do in your spare time?

Charlie – Just going out with my mates, that’s about it.

George – I’m involved with the Young Farmers in Fife, so I do quite a bit of stuff with them.

• What would be your last supper?

Both – Steak & chips, that’s a winner!

• If you could relive a memory, what would it be?

Charlie – Going out with my pals for the first time.

George – Probably, passing school. That was a great feeling.

• What’s your dream holiday destination?

Both – Australia & New Zealand.

Charlie – I’ve been to Perth, my auntie emigrated there.

George – New Zealand’s got nice bits of machinery, and it’s quite a nice place.

• If you were to win the lottery, what would you do?

Charlie – I’d probably pay off my parents’ mortgage, buy myself a house, and then, probably buy a tractor and contract in my spare time.

Learn more about the Scottish-based AGCO Apprenticeship scheme: https://www.sruc.ac.uk/all-news/fields-of-opportunity-for-scottish-agricultural-apprentices/

If you or someone you know has an interest in a career with the Hamilton Ross Group, please send your CV to [email protected] or visit our Indeed page.