A recent trip to Writtle University College saw Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet some of dealer Ernest Doe’s agricultural engineering students.

Apprentice Dylan with PM, Rishi Sunak

The PM visited the college on Thursday September 21st to discuss food and the farming sector. He joined the university’s engineering apprentices for a lesson on tractor maintenance before talking to students studying agriculture and animal science degrees.

The apprentices in land-based service engineering spoke to Mr Sunak about their workshop, while demonstrating their understanding of agricultural machinery.

The Prime Minister meets apprentices

Hayley Hill, marketing manager at Ernest Doe told Service Dealer, “We currently have 21 apprentices split across two years, learning both in our workshops at a number of our branches and at Writtle University College. PR of this kind is a good reminder that we do have some keen and engaged people coming up through the ranks. 

“We were delighted that the PM got to meet a number of our apprentices and see, first hand, the investment in our young people and the commitment they are showing to learning and developing their skills and forging a rewarding career path.”

The students the Prime Minister met are part of a partnership launched last year between Writtle, CNH Industrial and Ernest Doe which seeks to address the skills gap for specialist engineers within the agriculture sector.

David Rapkins New Holland Agriculture business director UK & ROI added, “We are proud to be working alongside both WUC and SRUC in delivering and supporting these apprenticeship courses within the land-based education sector. Our aim is to nurture and develop a strong workforce of specialist agricultural engineers for the future.”