The best of the next generation of agricultural engineers will be celebrated at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, with apprentice awards that are vital for promoting careers within the industry.
Agricultural machinery firms are struggling to recruit. Academy manager at machinery dealer Chandlers, Andrew Silvester, appreciates apprentices and recognises their potential.
“I taught agricultural engineering apprentices for seven years at Riseholme College – the highest number was 21 at any one time. During that time we had lots of successful candidates enter apprentice awards at Midland’s Machinery Show,” he said.
Silvester joined Chandlers last year to run its apprenticeship programme. He believes that the educating of the next generation of engineers should be prioritised.
“There’s a vast shortage of engineers in the country and across the world,” he said.
“Students tend to learn better in the workplace because they’re mentored constantly, it’s education 24/7 really.
“It’s not just learning about being an engineer, it’s learning about life at the same time as learning about the machinery, repairs and safety.
“It’s a win-win for me because if a student is committed to it, there’s no better way to learn and get paid. Most companies pay for everything they need.”
Silvester blames the sector’s lack of good promotion as the reason for a lack of apprenticeships. He said that Chandlers recognisies their downfall in the promotional area and that it is trying to improve it.
Apprentice awards
Stella Hubbard receiving her award 
Kieran Snowden
Silvester supports apprentices in applying for the apprentice awards at the Midlands Machinery Show each year.
“It’s another method of promoting apprenticeships and agricultural engineering – it’s a great show and the awards are brilliant,” he said.
“I encourage the apprentices to apply, it’s for their own benefit and there’s a great financial bursary because tools are expensive and that’s what they can use their reward for.”
Last year’s awards saw six students accept a cheque for £250 each – the first in a two-year instalment totalling £500.
One of those student was Stella Hubbard, who works at Farol as a John Deere apprentice.
“At the age of five, I would come into Farol with my dad and assist with picking parts for jobs/customers,” she said.
“During school I developed an interest in metal work and design and took a particular interest in removing and installing components.”
Hubbard has worked at John Deere in Both Australia and the UK. She is now being given the independence to carry out jobs by herself.
“I would like to inspire more women to take on this career. I would also love to own my own farm and develop a career in farming,” she said.
Chandlers boasted two apprenticeships winners last year. Kieran Snowden at the Grantham depot and Zac Elsdon at Holbeach.
“It makes me very proud that the work I do helps farmers to carry on working and put food on our tables,” Snowden said.
“It was a great honour to have been selected for this award and will help me progress in my career as well as giving me confidence that the industry is behind me.”
Entries for the apprentice awards are now open until October 14, 2022, for any agricultural apprentice aged 17-25 who is living and working in the Midlands region.
The Midlands Machinery Show takes place November 16 and 17.
