RECRUITING TECHNICIANS OF TOMORROW

John Deere say they are marking the 30th anniversary of its apprenticeship programme with an open day to recruit the next generation of technicians to work across its agriculture, turf and parts business. 

Well in excess of 1,000 apprentices have qualified since 1992, and the company say they are keen to showcase the exciting career path that lies ahead of those who complete the course. 
 
On 6 October, the manufacturer and the scheme’s training provider, ProVQ, will open the doors of its new training centre in Upper Saxondale, Nottinghamshire, where candidates will be offered guided tours, practical demonstrations and driving experiences.  

Classrooms and workshops will be staffed by instructors and apprentices, providing an opportunity to view the state-of-the-art learning facilities on offer and talk to those who know all about the programme.

John Deere’s apprenticeship programme sees technicians work within the company’s dealership network as a paid employee while completing either a two or three-year course comprising on-the-job practical learning and classroom studies. 

Three courses make up the programme; Ag Tech - focusing on agricultural machinery, Turf Tech - focusing on professional turf equipment, and Parts Tech - focusing on parts service and support.

“It’s a hugely exciting time to be part of the agricultural and turfcare industries - they are evolving and becoming more technologically advanced than ever before,” John Deere branch training manager Allan Cochran says.

“The job is so much more than just servicing and fixing things. The machines and parts our apprentices work on and with are some of the most advanced in the world, many capable of levels of automation or operating at capacities we could only dream of a few years ago. 

“With exam results now known and young people planning their futures, we’re encouraging them to join us for our open day to find out how John Deere can ignite their careers.

“It’s not just for people who love tractors - if you want to earn while you learn and be part of a huge, global brand with a reputation for ground-breaking innovations, then a John Deere apprenticeship could be the perfect start to your career.”   

The open day will be held on 6 October, with three sessions being run at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and entry is free, although pre-booking is a requirement as places are limited.