With many transferable skills, John Deere is looking to former and soon-to-be-leaving servicemen and women to consider joining its dealership network as Qualified Technicians.
The company states that those with experience in military machines will be perfectly placed for a new career working with agricultural and turf care equipment.
On the 1st of September at 7pm, John Deere will hold an online careers event, where attendees can hear from individuals who have transitioned from military service to the company’s dealership network.
The event is open to all who register. Those interested can register for free here.
One speaker will be William Foster, who left the army after 23 years of service, including multiple operational tours. Faced with the prospect of securing new work – just as the first Covid lockdown started – he applied for a role at John Deere.
While he didn’t get the initial role, this made him more determined to pursue a career in agricultural engineering.
“Not getting that job made me realise just how much I wanted to work with John Deere,” William said. “I decided to own that dream, put a professional spin on it and see if I could turn it into my next full career.”
To gain experience, he volunteered his time at one John Deere dealership and secured a job at another before landing his current role as an engineer at Ben Burgess in Oakham, Rutland.
“The similarities between this role and my career in the Army are uncanny,” William said. “I look at the depot as my Forward Operating Base, the surrounding areas as my Area of Responsibility and the Enemy as being breakdowns to deal with.
“If you can fix a tank, you can fix a tractor.”
A welcome change is a different approach to leadership, as William joined the army aged 17.
“One of the things I enjoy the most about my new role is that I can talk to my line managers and bosses like I talk to my former colleagues,” he explained.
“We have mutual respect, but the pomp and ceremony are no longer there.
“I also love that the iconic sense of humour so prevalent within the services is as alive and kicking in the workshop as it was on the tank park.”
Allan Cochran, John Deere branch training manager, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in the agricultural industry.
“The machinery we’re working with is mind-blowingly clever and John Deere agricultural and turf technicians learn about the most advanced, cutting-edge equipment available on the market.
“It’s a great, rewarding career that can take you anywhere in the world, working with an internationally recognised and respected brand.”