Truro Tractors Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships

Truro Tractors is a family firm, established for over 30 years providing machinery for agriculture, horticulture and the construction industry employing 34 members of staff. They offer servicing and repairs, and provide full training on all machinery, to a local customer base, which spans both Devon and Cornwall.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

There is currently a short supply of available, well qualified Agricultural Engineers within the business. As a company they viewed the situation as one that would potentially cause them problems in the future. They felt that the only option open to them, was to train their own. They saw this as a valuable investment in the long term, to secure a well -qualified work force. Both directors started their careers through an Apprenticeship with Duchy College Rosewarne, and found it to be both a valuable and enjoyable experience. It was also the first place they considered, as a training provider for their own apprentices.

The training undertook:

Truro Tractors currently have two apprentices undertaking Land based Engineering Operations City and Guilds, Level 2 and Level 3. Both apprentices attend Duchy College Rosewarne one day a week and are supported by Truro Tractors through mentoring, additional training and workshops plus slowly handing over levels of responsibility and offer regular pay increase in line with their progression. Truro Tractors are committed to the Apprenticeship ethos, developing and investing in highly motivated individuals who are looking to make a career within the world of agriculture engineering.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

Their apprentices have helped drive the company forward, and assist in the substantial growth of what was once a ‘small’ family run business. Their customers like to see their apprentices within the business, and they often take a personal interest in their progress. As customers they value the stability of staff, and this in turn helps them build trust in the company. Two of their most experienced engineers began with the company as apprentices; one has been with them for 20 years and another for 15. This is a true testament to their dedication to apprenticeships which led them to win the Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Small Company category at the recent Excellence in Business Training Awards 2017, hosted by CCB.

“The impact that our apprentices have had on our business, is in the way in which they have been able to drive the company forward, and assist in the substantial growth of what was once a ‘small’ family run business”.

Jonathan Stephens, Director of Truro Tractors

We have over 100 apprenticeships available.