Agricultural mechanics training at the Charles Alliès high school in Pézenas looking for students

Malgré la pluie, les lycéens ont réalisé un travail de pro ! Midi Libre – Rodrigue Delpas

This Tuesday, May 14, students from the Charles Alliès high school in Pézenas were at the Servian cooperative to publicize their training in agricultural mechanics.

The weather is gray at the Servian cooperative. A small group is nevertheless there, outside, despite the cold and the rain. This Tuesday, May 14, agricultural mechanics students from the Charles Alliès high school, in Pézenas, are organizing an event: they are carrying out a "technical inspection" tractors of cooperative members.

"We want to make agricultural mechanics known, says Loïc Tessier, teacher at the Pézenas high school and former mechanic. Unlike car mechanics, there is a great shortage of agricultural mechanics." Proof by example, there are only five students in the final year class of this specialty at the Charles Alliès high school.

"Increase user safety"

This morning, they are all there, around the two tractors that have been entrusted to them. Between two checks, they confide. "We are organizing this event with the aim of increasing the safety of tractor users", explains Baptiste Villemagne, student of terminal. "This is to avoid accidents, whether it is a brake that fails, or a leak from the trailer", adds his comrade, Milian Lassalvy.

Nearly ten tractors pass through the day. After each check, high school students submit a "check-up" which lists the small problems identified. And they seem to be enjoying themselves: "My father is a farmer, smiles Milian Lassalvy. I have always loved tinkering, I love tractors. By working with our parents since childhood, the passion has remained."

Looking for sponsors

To make their practices known, they created an association, Agricultural Maintenance Training (F.M.A.O). "We launched that last year last, tells  Loïc Tessier. Now the students must get the word out and find sponsors. We have lots of projects: notably going to the French riding mower championship, a lawn tractor race."

And next year, they will continue their research, and will move on to BTS, "the only one in the South of France and the Mediterranean rim. Work-study training: "I signed my contract, rejoices Baptiste Villemagne. We alternate two weeks at high school then two more at work. It's a two-year contract, I will be integrated as an employee, which will allow me to train."