In this episode of the HighGround podcast, hosts Tom and Jamie talk with Martin, a former RAF supplier who spent much of his 23‑year career in tactical logistics roles and as a fleet manager. Seeking an outdoor career after years behind a desk, Martin began helping on a local farm and rediscovered his love of engineering.

A HighGround Rural Week at Askham Bryan College opened his eyes to the demand for agricultural technicians, and he went on to join a John Deere dealership. Today he is a mobile agricultural technician, travelling across the Cotswolds, Devon and Wales to repair and maintain equipment ranging from chainsaws and ATVs to 6‑Series tractors. The role involves diagnosing faults, dismantling and reassembling machines, performing routine maintenance and keeping recordsbigfuture.collegeboard.org.

Technicians need mechanical, customer‑service and electronics knowledgebigfuture.collegeboard.org and skills in repair, maintenance and troubleshootingbigfuture.collegeboard.org. Martin explains that most dealerships provide structured training; he completed a nine‑month “John Deere University” online programme while shadowing experienced engineers. Starting salaries for agricultural engineering technicians are about £23 000, rising to £38 000 for experienced staff nationalcareers.service.gov.uk, but earnings depend on qualifications and overtime.

He emphasises that ex‑service personnel’s punctuality, organisation, adaptability and ability to work in all weathers are highly valued in this sector.

Episode chapters & key moments

00:00 Introduction – Tom and Jamie welcome listeners and introduce the HighGround podcast series for service‑leavers.

03:09 Meet Martin – Former RAF supplier explains his military career and decision to transition into agriculture after 23 years.

04:10 Finding the next step – Martin describes helping on a local farm, discovering HighGround via Instagram and attending a rural week where he saw agricultural engineering as a viable career.

07:00 What does an agricultural technician do? – Martin explains his role as a mobile technician: servicing everything from small chainsaws to large John Deere tractors; diagnosing faults; ordering parts; and working alone on farms. Farm equipment mechanics maintain, repair and overhaul tractors, harvesters and irrigation systems and record the work donebigfuture.collegeboard.org.

08:45 Training & qualifications – He outlines the nine‑month John Deere University programme covering mechanics, hydraulics and electronics, and stresses that hands‑on experience and mechanical aptitude are more important than formal qualifications. The National Careers Service notes that entry routes include university, college, apprenticeships or direct application and that agricultural engineering technicians can study diplomas or T Levels in land‑based technologynationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

11:49 Challenges & financial considerations – Martin discusses taking a pay cut and the cost of building a tool kit (£400+ for entry level). He now earns around £31 k plus bonuses; typical salaries range from £23 k for starters to £38 k for experienced techniciansnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

13:23 Selling yourself & working conditions – Ex‑military skills such as punctuality, discipline and attention to detail are valued. Technicians often work outdoors in all weathers and may be on call during harvest. Dealers appreciate reliability and problem‑solving ability.

16:22 Engineer vs. technician & progression – Martin differentiates between technicians (who focus on diagnosis and repair) and engineers (who may have degrees or HNCs). Large dealerships offer career progression, further training and opportunities in GPS/digital technology.

17:22 Advice for service‑leavers – Martin encourages veterans to contact local dealerships, ask for work experience, consider volunteering on farms and leverage Armed Forces Covenant employers. He emphasises building a network, turning up in person and not being deterred by initial rejections.

23:56 Round‑up – Tom and Jamie summarise key lessons: the importance of work experience, the superpower of military discipline, and the longevity of roles that cannot easily be automated.

About our guest:

Martin served 23 years in the RAF as a supplier and logistician, including tactical logistics and fleet management roles. Ready for a change, he volunteered on a local farm and discovered a passion for machinery.

A HighGround Rural Week introduced him to agricultural engineering, leading him to join Tallis Amos Group, a John Deere dealership, as a mobile technician. Martin now services and repairs a wide range of machinery, from small chainsaws to large tractors, and advocates for more veterans to consider careers in agricultural mechanics.

Key facts about agricultural engineering technicians:

1. What they do: Farm equipment mechanics maintain, repair and overhaul farm machinery such as tractors, harvesters and irrigation systemsbigfuture.collegeboard.org. They dismantle defective machines, reassemble them after repair, test operation and record detailsbigfuture.collegeboard.org.
2. Skills & knowledge: Technicians need mechanical knowledge of machines and tools, customer‑service skills for working with farmers, and an understanding of electronicsbigfuture.collegeboard.org. Essential skills include repairing, performing routine maintenance and troubleshootingbigfuture.collegeboard.org.
3. Training routes: Entry can be via apprenticeships, college diplomas or degrees in agricultural engineering; Level 2 or Level 3 diplomas in land‑based technology or T Levels in agriculture are optionsnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Many dealerships offer in‑house training programmes.
4. Salary & hours: According to the National Careers Service, agricultural engineering technicians earn about £23 000–38 000 per yearnationalcareers.service.gov.uk and typically work 40–42 hours per week, sometimes including evenings, weekends and bank holidaysnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
5. Work environment: Technicians may work in workshops, on farms or at client sitesnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. The job is physically demanding and often outdoors in all weathernationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

Getting started:

1. Network early: Use resettlement time to contact local dealerships and ask for unpaid work experience; employers often appreciate the initiative.
2. Build a basic tool kit: Expect to invest £400+ in tools, with additional purchases over time.
3. Leverage Armed Forces Covenant employers: Many agricultural dealerships are now signing the Covenant and actively seeking ex-service personnel.
4. Consider apprenticeships: Apprenticeships in land‑based service engineering provide structured training and a wage while you learnnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
5. Apply your military skills: Reliability, punctuality, problem‑solving and the ability to work outdoors in all weathers are highly valued.