John Deere will host a Military Hiring Programme Insight Day in July to outline how the agricultural and professional turfcare machinery sectors can offer service leavers the next step in their careers.
On 8 July servicemen and women are invited to the company’s UK headquarters at Langar, Nottinghamshire, to learn about the diverse range of roles available, and to meet prospective employers from John Deere’s dealership network.
“We held this event for the first time last year and it was really successful,” said Allan Cochran, Branch Training Manager for John Deere. “Those considering their resettlement came from all corners of the UK, and they had the opportunity to meet the dealers who are looking to recruit the skillsets service leavers have in abundance.”
The 2024 Insight Day generated dozens of enquiries and has resulted in several former forces personnel taking up roles with agriculture and turf dealers.
As well as meeting dealers and representatives from John Deere, attendees can listen to those who have been through the Military Hiring Programme and are now a part of the dealership network, including ex-Naval serviceman Graham Walker.
Graham was a Naval engineer on a nuclear submarine for 22 years, with a variety of responsibilities ranging from hydraulics maintenance and gas and atmosphere management to propulsion and nuclear engineering. He worked his way through the ranks from apprentice engineer to Warrant Officer Class 2.
After 24 years of service and deployment across the world, Graham began looking for his next career. He found out about the Military Hiring Programme and attended the open event last year.
“Attending the event is well worthwhile,” says Graham. “The introduction to the brand really opens your eyes to what you’re going to become part of, and all the right people are there to help explain what the resettlement process could look like.
“There are various workshops and demonstrations, representatives from dealers who are looking to recruit, and talks with those who had gone through the programme already.”
Graham now works at the Callington depot of the Smallridge Bros John Deere dealership in Cornwall as a Service Manager, using skills from both his time in the Navy and his prior agricultural experience to manage his workshop and a variety of John Deere machines, including combines.
John Deere’s ground-breaking resettlement programme for military service personnel offers new career opportunities working on some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.
John Deere was named in the 50 Great British Employers of Veterans 2025 list, compiled by Forces in Business Awards. The company has also signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
“Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships,” Allan said.
“Those who enrol are put into contact with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled themselves. They will guide them through the next steps which includes free training courses before finding employment with a John Deere dealer.”
To book a free place at the Military Hiring Programme Open Day, click here.
Interested service and ex-service members can apply to the Military Hiring Programme at any time online by visiting www.deere.com/JDMHP, or by contacting John Deere for more information.
