Apprenticeships are a great way to start or grow your career. You’ll gain hands-on experience, earn a salary, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification. It’s a chance to build skills, grow your confidence, and make a real contribution from day one.
APPRENTICESHIPS WE OFFER:
SERVICE TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP
Kick-start your career in agricultural engineering with our Service Technician Apprenticeship, designed for individuals who are passionate about machinery, technology, and problem solving. This exciting apprenticeship program provides a clear pathway into the agricultural machinery industry, combining practical experience with industry-leading training.
You’ll develop skills across a wide range of technical areas using the latest John Deere equipment. Working alongside our experienced technicians, you’ll gain real-world experience in a professional workshop, supported by structured off-the-job training to enhance your technical knowledge.
HOW LONG DOES THE SERVICE APPRENTICESHIP LAST?
The Level 2 program typically takes around 24 months and includes 14 weeks of block release training. Training takes place at John Deere’s dedicated training facilities in Nottinghamshire.
PROGRESSION TO LEVEL 3:
High performing apprentices will have the opportunity to progress onto the Level 3 qualification. This advanced stage typically takes a further 18 months to complete.
Level 3 focuses on advanced diagnostics, preparing you for a highly skilled technical career within the agricultural engineering sector.
If you live and work in Scotland, the apprenticeship/ qualification framework is slightly different; instead of a level 2 and 3 qualification in land-based engineering, you will work towards a level 5 and level 7 qualification in engineering.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN & ACHIEVE:
- Service, maintain and repair a wide range of agricultural machinery
- Gain knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and electronic systems
- Use advanced John Deere diagnostic technology to identify and resolve faults
- Understand health and safety regulations and industry best practices
- Develop professional customer service and teamwork skills
- Receive John Deere accredited training
- Build a clear career pathway to becoming an Agricultural Service Technician
PARTS DIPLOMA
Start your career towards becoming an Agricultural Parts Representative with our Parts Diploma, designed for individuals who are organised, customer-focused, and interested in the fast-moving world of agricultural machinery.
The programme combines technical product knowledge with business and customer service skills, giving you everything you need to succeed in a modern John Deere dealership. Develop a key understanding of the value of John Deere products and the importance of selling on quality. You’ll gain experience communicating with customers across multiple channels, including face-to-face, telephone and online, preparing you for a dynamic and customer-driven role.
HOW LONG DOES THE PARTS DIPLOMA PROGRAM LAST?
The program typically takes around 24 months and includes eight, one-week block release training sessions at John Deere’s training facility in Nottinghamshire.
Alongside your in-person training, you’ll benefit from online learning and ongoing support, including regular review visits from your Learning & Development Advisor to help you stay on track and progress confidently.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN & ACHIEVE:
- Operate and use sophisticated parts systems
- Develop professional customer service and communication skills
- Gain a recognised Parts Diploma Qualification
- Receive John Deere accredited training
- Build a clear career pathway to becoming an Agricultural Parts Representative
OTHER APPRENTICESHIPS
In addition to our core programmes, we occasionally offer a range of apprenticeships across different departments, providing exciting opportunities to start a career in the agricultural industry. These opportunities vary each year depending on business needs, giving you the chance to explore roles in areas such as marketing or administration.
In 2025, we introduced our first Marketing Apprenticeship, giving hands-on experience in all aspects of marketing. This experience takes place alongside structured learning through Kendal College’s Multi-Channel Marketing course, with regular college training to support the theoretical side of the role.
If you’re interested in a specific apprenticeship or career path, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our team at careers@cornthwaitegroup.com to discuss current opportunities or to find out if we can support your chosen apprenticeship route.
WHAT DO OUR APPRENTICES HAVE TO SAY…
Service Apprentice, Josh
From a young age, I’ve spent time working on farms. I’d heard positive things about the John Deere Service Apprenticeship, so when I saw a position being advertised at Cornthwaites, I was really interested.
My experience so far has been exceptional, I’ve learnt a lot from my experience in the workshop. I think that the jobs I get given are valuable for an apprentice and the training has been balanced so that any theory-based content I learn, gets put into practice at work.
I receive training at the John Deere Training Centre in Nottingham; the tuition is 20% theory and 80% practical. We go into detail with every subject and anything that’s learnt in the classroom, we perform in the workshop, ensuring that we fully understand. When I’m at work, a member of the John Deere Learning & Development visits to see how I’m getting on and to set me tasks.
So far, I’ve learnt lots of new skills and gained plenty of knowledge surrounding services and repairs on various machinery. My communication skills have massively improved since starting my apprenticeship; I feel that I can inform customers about problems more confidently as my knowledge has grown.
My favourite thing about working for Cornthwaite Group is the people; the team are always happy to help and teach me new things!
With only one and a half years left of my apprenticeship, I hope to see myself continuing to work here and progressing further on jobs.
Parts Apprentice, Faye
Since I was little, my dad has always owned John Deere’s from Cornthwaite Group and growing up I loved helping him and other farmers with tasks during the summer.
After completing work experience in the Parts team at Cornthwaite’s Bispham Green depot, I signed up for a Parts Apprenticeship with them. I preferred the idea of earning money whilst gaining experience and meeting new people in the industry instead of completing a full-time college course.
My experience has been excellent, I’ve met lots of people country-wide also completing the Parts Apprenticeship, and I’ve enjoyed learning how each workplace varies.
I receive training at the John Deere Training Centre in Nottingham and first-hand support and guidance from my colleagues. This has taught me varied skills such as marketing and sales as well as furthering my parts knowledge and utilising different parts systems.
What I enjoy most about working for Cornthwaite Group is the amazing customers I get to meet daily – I thoroughly enjoy helping and building relationships with them!
Looking ahead, I would like to take on more responsibility and progress further within the company.
Marketing Apprentice, Lily
I chose an apprenticeship with Cornthwaite Group because I was eager to build a career in the agricultural industry and the idea of learning on the job appealed to me more than anything else.
So far, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience, with strong support from my manager and colleagues across different departments. I have learnt plenty of new skills such as using digital tools, creating content and analysing data to help with decision making. My marketing knowledge has also grown massively with the work I have been completing on my ‘Multi-Channel Marketer’ college course I attend at Kendal College.
What I enjoy most about working for Cornthwaite Group is the people - I’m surrounded by a team who encourages growth and supports me in any situation. Having the opportunity to learn something new about the industry each day makes the role very exciting and varied too.
After completing my apprenticeship, I hope to continue working with Cornthwaite Group as a Marketing Assistant.
WHY CHOOSE CORNTHWAITE GROUP?
As one of the UK’s largest John Deere dealerships, Cornthwaite Group are a leading supplier of agricultural and groundcare equipment. We are committed to creating a positive, inclusive, respectful and supportive working environment, and recognise that our people are key to our continued success.
For more information on the benefits of working at Cornthwaites Group, visit our page here - Careers | Cornthwaite Group
FAQS
Who can apply for these apprenticeships?
Our apprenticeships are open to anyone 16 or over living in the UK, with no upper age limit. They are suitable for school leavers or for people looking to retrain.
Ideally you will have GSCE Maths, English and one other subject at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
Do I need prior experience for a John Deere Apprenticeship?
No prior experience is required, although a background or experience within the agricultural industry is desirable.
If you want to get experience within the industry before applying for an apprenticeship, check out our Work Experience and Placements program here (link to the page on work experience)
How are these Apprenticeships assessed?
At the end of each level, you’ll complete an End Point Assessment (EPA), which may include:
- Practical tests
- Online exams
- Professional discussions
How do I know if you have any current Apprenticeship vacancies?
All apprenticeship vacancies will be listed on our vacancies page (include link).
How do I apply for one of your Apprenticeships?
To apply, please send your CV to careers@cornthwaitegroup.com.
The application process can include face-to-face interviews, work trials and multiple-choice or written tests, depending on the role.
Will there be a guaranteed job at the end of my Apprenticeship?
We always aim to take on apprentices after completing their course. However, an apprenticeship doesn’t guarantee a permanent job, and success would often depend on performance and business needs.
What are block release training sessions?
The apprentice undertakes training at the John Deere training centre in Nottinghamshire, to complete classroom and workshop-based tasks for around 1-2 weeks. The apprentice stays in an approved hotel for the duration of the training, which we organise.
How many hours a week will I work as an Apprentice?
Working hours depend on the role, typically for a service apprenticeship you would work 40 hours per week, and for other apprenticeships you would work 35-40 hours per week. Apprentices will not work over 40 hours per week.
