Popular tractor scholarship returns for third year

A Cornish family-run machinery company is continuing to support the next generation of land-based engineers with the launch of the third year of its successful scholarship.

Vincent Tractors and Plant, based in Fraddon, has 52 years’ experience in the agricultural engineering industry and is keen to share this knowledge by partnering Duchy College Rosewarne.

The successful applicant of the scholarship gets a work placement at Vincent Tractors & Plant as well as £1500 worth of sponsorship in the form of tools, laptop, a telehandler licence and travel to their training on Duchy College’s Level 2 land-based engineering certificate.

This unique opportunity in Cornwall offers an amazing entry route into a sector that has great career opportunities due to the unique skills required, according to Paul Vincent, Vincent Tractors and Plant Managing Director.

“We are providing the scholarship as we want to encourage youngsters into the industry as it is vitally important that the next generation of engineers is trained to a high standard,” he explained.

Last year’s successful applicant, Morgan Gratrix, will soon finish his year with Vincent Tractors and Plant and will take advantage of one of the scholarship perks, to have an interview for an apprenticeship within the team.  Morgan, 17 from Camborne, explained what benefits the scholarship has provided him.

“I spend two days a week at the depot on work placement and three days a week in college.  At Vincent’s I learn from a variety of team members about a wide range of machinery.  I have received a tool voucher to help me towards equipment, I have completed my telehandler test and they help me with my transport to college.”

“The scholarship has broadened my horizons, I have learnt about not only ground care, but tractors, agricultural machinery and plant as well.”

The scholarship ran for the first time in 2016 and since has seen the student, Aidan Kent, 18 from Nanpean, progressing on to study an apprenticeship within the company.

The course at Duchy College provides students with all the skills and experience they need to forge a successful career in land-based service engineering or to branch out into other fields such as becoming a construction plant engineer or off shore engineer.

Danny Sellors, Program Manager for land-based engineering at the College, said he was “thrilled” that Vincent Tractors and Plant has continued to offer the scholarship.

“It shows the close ties that the course has with industry,” he continued.

“Land-based engineering is extremely diverse, it covers agriculture, forestry, construction plant equipment, horticulture and professional ground care.  It is a rapidly evolving industry that is seeing technological advancements at an outstanding pace.  Duchy College is a perfect setting to study for a career in this valuable and rewarding industry.”

To apply for the scholarship please visit https://www.duchy.ac.uk/campaign/landing-page/agricultural-engineering-scholarships/ or call 0330 123 2523.  For more information on the range of courses available at Duchy College visit www.duchy.ac.uk.