TECHNICIAN WINNERS ANNOUNCED

PICTURED ABOVE: William Harland-Knight from Russells won 1st Place

The Land-based Engineering - Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC Ltd) have announced the winners of their Technicians For 2024 competition.

The winners are:

• 1st Place: William Harland-Knight from Russells winning a £150 gift voucher of their choice.
• 2nd Place: Zac Wallis from Oliver Landpower Ltd winning a Makita UK Cordless Grease Gun  
• 3rd Place: Mark Donaldson from Gammies Ground Care winning Kubota 8 Drawer Rollcab with Ball-Bearing Slides

LE-TEC say the annual competition, now in its 5th year, is designed to find and celebrate the UK’s best technicians and ambassadors for careers in the land-based engineering sector. This year, two routes of entry were available - the traditional video entry method, or a new format where employers or lecturers could nominate outstanding students or employees within their network.

Zac Wallis from Oliver Landpower Ltd  won 2nd Place

The LE-TEC Ltd judging panel consisted of representatives from IAgrE, BAGMA and the AEA, alongside industry independents.

Charlie Nicklin CEO of IAgrE, said, "The calibre of entrants this year has been incredible. The number of talented technicians coming through the dealers is such a rewarding thing to see. This year, we have also awarded several Certificates of Recognition to those with exceptional talent."

Mark Donaldson from Gammies Ground Care won 3rd Place

Nick Darking, BAGMA general manager added, “Unearthing the often unsung but incredibly talented individuals in our industry is what this competition does best. This year the standard of entry has been outstanding.”

Winner William Harland-Knight, was nominated by his lecturer at East Durham College, Mike Herrington, who said, “Will's contribution to training and development is outstanding, and he is a credit to himself and Russell's."

Group aftersales manager at Russells, John Jackson, added, "We are thrilled that Will has been named Technician of the Year. His dedication to the Land-Based Engineering industry is truly inspiring and he's a vital part of the Russell's team. We couldn't be prouder of his accomplishments."

Lisa Carty, service manager at Oliver Landpower Ltd said of Zac Wallis' second place win, “Everyone at Oliver Landpower is so pleased with Zac’s award. Zac’s attitude to all aspects of his work is second to none, whether that is the admin side or his engineering side. It really helps keep our service department moving. He has the can-do attitude and will always go above and beyond to ensure his work is carried out to a high standard. Zac is an absolute credit to Oliver Landpower and the agricultural industry.”

Third place winner, Mark Donaldson, said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the judges for recognising my passion for this work and I hope to use this award to encourage our apprentices and future young engineers and show them just how much there is to achieve within this industry.”
 
Les Gammie, Mark's branch manager, added “We are extremely proud of Mark for achieving this award from such a prestigious judging panel within the industry. It’s great to see young engineers, as the future of our industry, being recognised for their hard work and dedication.”