Young John Deere apprentices graduate as programme celebrates 30-year milestone

The latest group of talented young service technicians and parts personnel has successfully graduated from John Deere’s pioneering advanced apprenticeship programmes.

The largest cohort of John Deere apprentices to date gathered at a graduation event at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham to celebrate their achievements.

John Deere Branch Training Manager Allan Cochran said: “Our esteemed apprenticeship programme has entered its 30th year and in those three decades we have produced many talented individuals, who have gone on to have exciting careers across the John Deere dealership network and within the brand itself. Our aim with the apprenticeship programme was, and still is, to help young people make their first step on the career ladder and to nurture and mould those with the skills and desire to work in our industry. It is incredibly rewarding to see these fantastic individuals graduate from their courses and begin to take the next big step in their careers.”

At the event, Ag Tech graduate Jack Ramsey from the Tuckwells dealership in Ardleigh, Essex, was named the winner of the Ag/Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year for 2022 while Parts Tech graduate Oliver Kelly, from Macgregor Industrial Supplies in Inverness, won the 2022 Parts Tech Apprentice of the Year award. Both won a John Deere toolbox.

Charlie Wahlandt from the Ben Burgess dealership in Coates, Cambridgeshire, was a runner up and took home a high street shopping voucher.

Several members of the Ben Burgess team, who were some of the first to attend the John Deere Apprenticeship scheme 30 years ago, also attended the evening and were awarded a commemorative glass trophy and certificate to celebrate their continuing career within a John Deere Dealership.

Trained at the new John Deere’s Apprentice Training Centre in Upper Saxondale, Nottinghamshire, apprentices are employed full time at dealerships, giving them the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver exceptional customer service to agricultural and professional groundscare customers.

Delivered by ProVQ, the courses feature a mix of practical and theory in classroom and workshop environments, learning a broad range of subjects from basic engineering skills to optimising the most advanced machine technologies. Ag Tech and Turf Tech candidates study towards the land-based service engineering technician qualification (level 3), while for Parts Tech students complete a retailer apprenticeship standard (level 2).

The programmes include on-the-job training and assessment as well as up to eight weeks at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre.

A John Deere apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to start their career in the agriculture machinery. Since 1992, the programme has helped more than 1,200 apprentices start their careers.

“Having celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates, John Deere is actively searching for the next generation of talent to put through our unique apprenticeship training course,” Allan said. “If you have considered a career in agriculture, turf or parts service, this is the perfect opportunity to drive your future.”

To find out more about becoming a John Deere apprentice, click here.