August 24, 2022
Working with advanced tech a key draw for promising apprentice in booming ag market
Crestmead, Queensland (24 August, 2022) – WHAT began with an interest in helping her family service and repair farm equipment has turned into a flourishing career for Anna McGuirk as a John Deere Technician Apprentice.
The 20-year-old second-year apprentice at Hutcheon & Pearce Wagga Wagga had spent years helping on her family's 485 ha cattle property, 'Banool', in the New South Wales Riverina, but the pivotal moment came when she was watching television.
"I saw a John Deere advertisement and felt they would be a good brand to work for as their machines are so advanced, so I would get to learn about the latest technology powering agriculture," Anna said.
Anna describes herself as the kind of kid who always had a curiosity for learning how things worked, and that has helped her progress through her practical training on farm with qualified technicians and theoretical learning in the classroom.
"Often, it's the case I have already worked with one of our technicians on a mechanical repair in the field that later comes up at TAFE," she said.
"I have enjoyed this because at TAFE you are learning more in-depth about how the solutions are working to resolve the issue, so I have been able to more thoroughly understand it.
"For young people who are considering applying for an apprenticeship as a technician, I encourage them to go for it."
Hutcheon & Pearce Wagga Wagga Service Manager, Matt Pike, said Anna had been a great addition to the team and the career path now opened to her as a technician apprentice ranges from servicing machines through to being a diagnostic technician, with the ability to transition into management.
"There are so many opportunities," Matt said.
"You put your head down and study hard so when you come out of your fourth year you're straight in and working on all the big gear, or little gear, whatever takes your fancy - the variety is out there.
"All through TAFE their training is all John Deere-based, so they're upskilled on the product, and we know that they're going to do a good job."
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Anna McGuirk, John Deere Technician Apprentice. Hutcheon & Pearce Wagga Wagga, NSW.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said this year across the John Deere business in Australia, numerous apprentices were required to fulfil technician positions within the agriculture, turf and construction and forestry industries.
"Technicians deliver services vital to industry, by not only providing backup support and remote diagnostics, but by empowering operators to get the most out of their machinery and technology," Mr Chandler said.
"The role of a technician, although traditionally hands-on, has become highly technical, and our John Deere technicians are often relying on innovative software to deliver remote backup support directly to machines.
"Year-on-year, John Deere welcomes the next generation of apprentices through our dealership networks, which are committed to training and upskilling young people across rural and regional Australia."
Given John Deere has been producing machinery varying from lawn mowers to large-scale combine harvesters for more than 180 years, Anna is often working on numerous models each day.
"My favourite piece of equipment to work on is the harvesters, they have so many components and it's advanced machinery," she said.
"Eventually, I think I would enjoy progressing myself to be a diagnostic technician for headers, but I do enjoy learning and working across a bit of everything."
Although Anna is well settled into her role and has no immediate plans of leaving Wagga Wagga, she said the breadth of the John Deere business, having dealerships across Australia and the world, did provide interesting opportunities.
"Hutcheon & Pearce is a great place to work, and they do offer transfers throughout their branch network," she said.
"The training we do through John Deere means the skills I am learning are transferable across the world. I think that would be an amazing opportunity to work overseas with John Deere."
Watch Anna's story here.
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in New Zealand at JohnDeere.co.nz.
Media Contacts:
Stacey Wordsworth
0438 394 371
stacey.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
Hannah Hardy
0421 196 004
hannah.hardy@bluehillpr.com.au
