Apprentice Agricultural Technician

RIPON FARM SERVICES LTD; Broughton; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural services company in Broughton is offering an apprenticeship for Land-Based Service Engineering Technicians. The role focuses on developing skills in servicing and repairing agricultural machinery, providing a practical pathway to a rewarding career. You will be mentored, work hands-on with the latest diagnostic equipment, and earn £15,704 in your first year. Enjoy a supportive environment that highlights people as the greatest asset and prepare for a promising future in the agricultural sector.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic service tasks and develop skills in component reconditioning.
• Assist qualified technicians and report to a mentor.
• Maintain inventory, tools, and equipment.
• Perform repairs on land-based machinery according to guidelines.
• Communicate technical matters to stakeholders.
• Diagnose faults in land-based machinery.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem solving skills

Number skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Team working

Initiative

Non judgemental

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade C/4 or above)

Functional Skills ICT - level 2

Functional Skills maths level 2

Functional Skills English level 2

Level 2, Land Based Service Engineering Technician qualification

Job description

Overview

With the emphasis firmly on farming machinery, you will develop skills and proficiency in a wide range of technical areas, from routine maintenance and servicing through to complex component overhauls utilising the very latest diagnostic equipment. Engineering is a practical subject, and requires a great deal of focus and thought.

Responsibilities

• Performing basic service tasks & developing skills in removal & reconditioning of components
• Progressing to perform more complex service & repair tasks, both at the dealership & out in the field
• Assisting qualified technicians as needed
• Reporting to a mentor regarding ongoing activities and progression
• Maintaining the condition of inventory, tools & equipment
• Participating in service training programmes required for the development of skills & knowledge
• Following all safety rules and regulations; interpret technical data, documentation, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams and technical specifications
• Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures such as Health and Safety at Work Act, lone working, working at height and risk assessments adopting mitigation measures to safeguard bystanders, the public, property and livestock
• Use digital equipment to interrogate land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance and extract data and communicate to stakeholders
• Obtain information from colleagues and stakeholders employing a range of techniques
• Establish the information required to perform an efficient and effective diagnosis
• Communicate technical matters to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Perform repairs of technologically advanced land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers in accordance with manufacturer\'s guidelines and industry standards
• Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions or guidance
• Identify components that require either repair or replacement, including providing alternative solutions for repair or replacement as appropriate
• Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer guidelines
• Establish and replicate the circumstances and conditions that give rise to reported faults
• Determine whether reported symptoms are a characteristic or a fault
• Diagnose faults and reported underperformance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers using approved diagnostic procedures and equipment and logical problem-solving techniques
• Maintain, interrogate, calibrate and repair electronic equipment and systems, including precision technology, electronic management systems, telemetry, autonomous and automated operations used in the land-based sector
• Differentiate between the root cause and symptom of land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover failures
• Identify crop, soil, climatic and environmental factors that impact on the performance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers
• Identify the equipment settings appropriate to the working conditions giving due consideration to crop, soil types, conditions and environments, weather and climatic conditions
• Perform verification tests to check performance against manufacturer specification for land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers
• Identify stakeholder requirements and provide tailored advice that informs their selection and operation of appropriate machinery, equipment and prime movers to meet the land-based environment in which it will be operated
• Apply supervision and mentoring techniques to support junior colleagues\' development
• Plan and prepare maintenance or repair work schedules for showing task allocation, sequencing, workflow and time management
• Compile technical reports and statements
• Provide technical input to facilitate the compilation of repair schedules, action plans, quotations and estimates
• Identify the parts and services required to enable the reinstatement of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers for the purposes of estimates and quotations
• Perform installation and handover of machinery, equipment and prime movers, explaining their safe operation, the settings required for the environmental conditions and application, the maintenance and warranty requirements
• Establish level of customer understanding of how to operate the machinery or equipment following installation and handover
• Use predictive and preventative maintenance effectively to minimise land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover downtime
• Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply suitable and sustainable control measures
• Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy
• Keep up to date with advances in environment land-based working practices and the land-based engineering technologies and share best practice
• How contextual factors (including operational techniques, application, crop, soil types and conditions, environments, weather and climatic conditions) impact on machine performance and faults
• Repair complex electrical and electronic systems in accordance with job requirements
• Interpret technical data, documentation, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams and technical specifications
• Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures such as Health and Safety at Work Act, lone working, working at height and risk assessments adopting mitigation measures to safeguard bystanders, the public, property and livestock
• Use digital equipment to interrogate land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance and extract data and communicate to stakeholders
• Obtain information from colleagues and stakeholders employing a range of techniques
• Establish the information required to perform an efficient and effective diagnosis
• Communicate technical matters to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Perform repairs of technologically advanced land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers in accordance with manufacturer\'s guidelines and industry standards
• Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions or guidance
• Identify components that require either repair or replacement, including providing alternative solutions for repair or replacement as appropriate
• Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer guidelines
• Establish and replicate the circumstances and conditions that give rise to reported faults
• Determine whether reported symptoms are a characteristic or a fault
• Diagnose faults and reported underperformance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers using approved diagnostic procedures and equipment and logical problem-solving techniques
• Maintain, interrogate, calibrate and repair electronic equipment and systems, including precision technology, electronic management systems, telemetry, autonomous and automated operations used in the land-based sector
• Differentiate between the root cause and symptom of land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover failures
• Identify crop, soil, climatic and environmental factors that impact on the performance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers
• Identify the equipment settings appropriate to the working conditions giving due consideration to crop, soil types, conditions and environments, weather and climatic conditions
• Perform verification tests to check performance against manufacturer specification for land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers
• Identify stakeholder requirements and provide tailored advice that informs their selection and operation of appropriate machinery, equipment and prime movers to meet the land-based environment in which it will be operated
• Apply supervision and mentoring techniques to support junior colleagues\' development
• Plan and prepare maintenance or repair work schedules for showing task allocation, sequencing, workflow and time management
• Compile technical reports and statements
• Provide technical input to facilitate the compilation of repair schedules, action plans, quotations and estimates
• Identify the parts and services required to enable the reinstatement of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers for the purposes of estimates and quotations
• Perform installation and handover of machinery, equipment and prime movers, explaining their safe operation, the settings required for the environmental conditions and application, the maintenance and warranty requirements
• Establish level of customer understanding of how to operate the machinery or equipment following installation and handover
• Use predictive and preventative maintenance effectively to minimise land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover downtime
• Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply suitable and sustainable control measures
• Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy
• Keep up to date with advances in environment land-based working practices and the land-based engineering technologies and share best practice
• How contextual factors (including operational techniques, application, crop, soil types and conditions, environments, weather and climatic conditions) impact on machine performance and faults
• Repair complex electrical and electronic systems in accordance with job requirements
• Level 2, Land Based Service Engineering Technician qualification

Qualifications

• Functional Skills in ICT - level 2 (if GCSE or equivalent A-C/9-4 is not already achieved)
• Functional Skills maths level 2 (if GCSE or equivalent A-C/9-4 is not already achieved)
• Functional Skills English level 2 (if GCSE or equivalent A-C/9-4 is not already achieved)
• Employment Rights and Responsibilities
• Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
• GCSE in English (grade C/4 or above) or English & Maths (grade C/4 or above) or Maths (grade C/4 or above)
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Benefits and Details

Ask anyone about the biggest asset that exists within the Ripon Farm Services organisation and they will tell you it\'s our people. It is our people with the right, "make it happen" attitude who drive our reputation for excellence in customer service.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Training course: Land-based service engineering technician (level 3).

Hours: Monday to Friday, between 8.00am - 6.00pm. Saturdays may be on a rota basis; you may be required to work unsociable hours during busy periods. Exact shifts to be confirmed. 40 hours a week. Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026. Duration: 2 years.