Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd is currently looking for 17 apprentices in agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery for the 2015 season as part of its continuous investment in people, the future and the industry.

Apprentices are required in both its service and parts departments. The company already has 30 apprentices in its programme spread across its 19 branches in East Anglia and South East England.

The apprenticeship scheme at Ernest Doe combines four years on-the-job training with a four week block release course at college in each of the years. The company's founder, Ernest Doe, started the business in 1898 when he bought out a blacksmiths shop having completed his own apprenticeship.

Service Director Angus Doe said, "As a company we like to 'grow our own' employees where we can. The majority of the apprentices we take become highly skilled and professional service technicians operating from a fully-equipped service van which the company provides. They are a vital part of the relationship we have with our customers who will often buy from us again because of their confidence in our ability to react promptly and keep their equipment performing in the way it was designed to work.

"We offer a wide range of career progression opportunities throughout the company. Service technicians can move on to service management jobs, sales positions and departmental and branch management roles. In fact five out of the company's seven strong senior management team started as apprentices with the company.

"We continue to invest, not just in people, but also in the latest tools and equipment for our workshops. It's an investment that benefits our customers, the industry, our employees and the company."

Anyone wishing to be considered for an apprenticeship at Ernest Doe should visit the company's website www.ernestdoe.com/jobs for further information.