Askham Bryan College, the centre of educational excellence for land-based careers, has signed a rolling 12-month preferred supplier agreement with Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer.

Pictured l-r: Jim Whitton, regional sales manager, Ransomes Jacobsen;
Steve Prinn, lecturer, Askham Bryan College; Stuart Green lecturer, Askham Bryan College
and Chris Barnacle, sales representative, Golf and Turf Machinery.

Askham Bryan has been at the forefront of training in sports turf maintenance for over thirty years, offering various routes of learning from Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeships through to Foundation Degree. From September 2012, this will be enhanced with a full time Level 2 course in sports turf maintenance.

Ransomes Jacobsen and their local dealer Golf and Turf Machinery have formally signed this agreement to enable the college’s full time and work-based sports turf apprentices to have access to modern and innovative turf maintenance equipment.

The agreement will see Ransomes Jacobsen providing demonstration equipment to the college, through Golf and Turf Machinery, coupled with regular lectures on a range of turf maintenance subjects. The college will also provide Ransomes Jacobsen with lecturers for road shows and demo days.

As part of the agreement the Level 2 and Level 3 Sports Turf Apprenticeship programmes will be sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen, with a trophy awarded to the best apprentice each year.

“I am delighted that Ransomes Jacobsen along with their dealer, Golf and Turf Machinery, has agreed to become partners in the education of future greenkeepers and groundsmen here at Askham Bryan College,” said Stuart Green Level 2 Apprentice Course Manager. “It is through their help and foresight that these young people will have the very best grounding in all aspects of turf maintenance.”

Jim Whitton, regional sales manager at Ransomes Jacobsen added,
“As a manufacturer and an integral part of this global turf industry, we are equally delighted to be highly involved with the education of tomorrow’s professional turf managers. Students from Askham Bryan are working at some of the most prestigious sporting venues around the world, which is a testament to the quality of education they receive at Askham Bryan.

“From a personal perspective, I studied at the college and gained my qualifications in agricultural engineering; qualification that have served me well throughout my career.”

About Askham Bryan College
The college is one of fastest growing land-based educational facilities in the UK, with a range of relevant courses, excellent tutors and superb facilities. Courses begin at entry level with starter courses, continue through work based learning and can lead to an honours degree. The residential campus is located near York and there are centres at Bedale, Guisborough (with courses up to degree level), Harrogate and Thirsk. Animal management courses are available at Bradford, Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Wakefield. To increase their educational reach, the college has taken over the management of Newton Rigg College in Cumbria. All lecturers have a good knowledge of their subject areas and many have had considerable experience working in industry.