MERLO UK has revealed that its dedicated training programme has supported more than 220 engineers and dealer personnel across the UK and Ireland this year.
The manufacturer delivers courses at its Ringwood training centre and through its dealer network, helping to develop technical expertise, promote safe working practices, and prepare for future technologies.
The programme currently offers 25 technical training courses, with this number set to grow as new products are introduced and technology continues to advance.
Leading the programme is training manager Sam Bowles, drawing on more than a decade of experience in agricultural and construction equipment engineering. The Ringwood training centre, which opened in 2021, offers access to dedicated machines, specialist training rigs, and dismantled machine components.
Shaun Groom, general manager at Merlo UK, said, “Every engineer is at a different stage of their career, so it’s important our training reflects that. Sam has built a programme that grows with our engineers. As new products and technologies are introduced, the training continues to evolve, giving engineers new opportunities to develop throughout their careers.”
Among the portfolio of specialist courses available is Merlo UK’s ROTO telehandler training programme. Over the course of a week, attendees move from machine operation into system understanding, diagnostics and fault finding.
Through BAGMA-accredited courses, engineers can also gain the qualifications needed to undertake thorough examinations, helping dealer teams support machine safety through inspections and compliance checks.
Merlo revealed that feedback from attendees has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’, with the courses achieving an average satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 across approximately 400 participant responses.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing engineers return to training and watching their confidence grow,” Sam Bowles stated. “Having worked as an engineer myself, I understand the realities of diagnosing and repairing machines in the field, and the difference practical, hands-on training makes in helping engineers build both confidence and capability.”
In his role, Bowles has spent time at Merlo Group’s HQ in Italy, receiving training on the company’s machines and technologies.
“We’re constantly developing and updating our training programmes to ensure our dealers are ready to support both current and future products,” Bowles added. “The industry is evolving quickly, and it’s important that engineers have the knowledge and confidence needed to support customers as new technologies emerge.”
