CLAAS Scholarship Launch

CLAAS has had strong links with Harper Adams for many years. Helmut Claas, second generation of the CLAAS family, established a scholarship which has been running for over 10 years.

Sarah Steggall (HR Manager) and Rob Fillingham (Technical Manager - Tractors) of CLAAS UK met with Engineering staff and students at the University today to talk to them about the scholarship, also work placements and the CLAAS graduate training programme.  

The CLAAS scholarship is awarded each year to one second year student on any Engineering course at Harper Adams University.  The scholarship student will be awarded a work placement of 12 months at the CLAAS Headquarters in Germany. Prior to departing for Germany in September, the scholarship student will be able to work at CLAAS UK Headquarters in Saxham, Suffolk.

The scholarship is financially rewarded through an award in the second, and subsequent years of study of £3,000 per annum, excluding placement year. During placement year the scholar will be paid by CLAAS Germany, and provided with accommodation.

Dr Robert Fillingham (pictured above) was awarded the CLAAS scholarship in 2008, having applied despite doubting that he would be successful! He told students about his journey with CLAAS and urged them to take the opportunities that they are offered.

Fourth year Engineering student Lewis Hamilton, has recently returned to Harper Adams after spending a year in Germany as the 2016/17 CLAAS scholar.  He gave fellow students a good insight into the placement, explaining how CLAAS will adapt the role depending on whether a office based or workshop based role is preferred, for example.  Lewis, who got the opportunity to spend a month in Spain and a month in East Germany, field testing said he would do it all over again if he could and offered to talk with any current students considering applying for this fantastic opportunity