Introduction
With the backing of the major manufacturers of agricultural, horticultural, forestry and ground care equipment, the Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme (LTA) has been developed by AEA, in conjunction with IAgrE, with the support of BAGMA, on behalf of the land based engineering sector.
The objective of the scheme is to provide a nationwide means of benchmarking, monitoring and assessing the competence of technicians employed within the sector. The LTA scheme will also provide encouragement and recognition for both employers and technicians who voluntarily commit to continual professional development in pursuit of technical support excellence.
There are four categories or tiers with all tiers being registered on a central database held by IAgrE.
- LTA 1 – Self registration on-line. Entries on this register would be categorised as either Apprentices (on recognised programmes) or more skilled/mature entrants not yet otherwise assessed and categorised. There is currently no charge to register.
- LTA 2 - Newly qualified apprentices or assessed skilled technician meeting the required criteria.
- LTA 3 - A skilled & experienced technician who has successfully attended a series of assessed course programmes - may be a product specialist.
- LTA 4 - A professional technician having a proven and assessed track record. Additional assessment criteria are included to demonstrate exceptional diagnostic and technical ability together with customer and technical mentoring skills.
The scheme has been established by the leading manufacturers to give credit and recognition to the developing skills and knowledge of technicians working in the land based sector. All training is accredited by the relevant manufacturers in conjunction with the employers to guidelines agreed jointly with them, Lantra and IAgrE. The scheme also provides a clearly defined career path for those working in the landbased engineering sector. The LTA scheme is backed by the trade associations representing:
LTA is administered by IAgrE, the leading UK professional body representing scientists, engineers and technologists in the landbased sector. Where appropriate, IAgrE facilitates the registration of suitably qualified technicians as Engineering Technicians (EngTech) with the Engineering Council (UK). For those companies with European-wide interests, the LTA scheme is approved by EurAgEng as meeting the requirements for recognition as EurAgEngTech.
LTA The Scheme
Those registered under the LTA scheme will be technicians working in the fields of:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Amenity (including professional and domestic groundscare)
- Forestry/Arboriculture
- Environment
Through their work on the maintenance and repair of equipment in the various sectors, they will be supporting the production of:
- the food for your table
- the timber for your paper, furniture and building
- bio-fuels for a sustainable future
and the maintenance of outdoor recreation spaces for the well-being of the environment and our amenity.
In these times of rapid change, and with the ever increasing complexity and sophistication of tractors, harvesters and ground care equipment, there has never been a greater need for competent technicians. By registering and assessing these technicians, we are not only recognising their professionalism but also providing the confidence to consumers that their equipment is being cared for by qualified and competent staff.