We caught up with Ben Long, a third-year Apprentice Engineer from our Forfar Depot, to chat about his apprenticeship journey, what he’s learned so far, and why he believes Scot Agri is a great place to start a career in agricultural engineering!  

An Early Interest in Machinery  

Although Ben didn’t grow up on a farm, he has been around machinery from a young age. Helping his dad with mechanical jobs sparked an interest in engineering, and when he spotted the Scot Agri Apprenticeship advertised on Facebook, he knew it was a good opportunity to turn that interest into a career.  

Learning Beyond the Workshop  

Every apprenticeship offers unexpected learning opportunities, and for Ben, communication has been the biggest one. Starting out, speaking with customers felt daunting but over time, it’s become second nature while onsite. Ben shared, ‘I learned a lot about communication and compared to when I first started, I know how to deal with people better.’  

Working with different engineers, shadowing experienced team members, and gradually taking on more responsibility has helped him build confidence in everything from problem-solving to customer conversations.  

Ben also enjoys the opportunity to study at college and in-house at our training centre in Glasgow. Whether it’s working on JCB or a Massey Ferguson, no two weeks are the same for our apprentices.  

A Supportive Team and Work Environment 

The Forfar depot is known for having an experienced and friendly team, something that Ben says has made a huge impact on his development.  

Ben credits much of his learning to time spent out on jobs with experienced engineers, observing how they diagnose issues, approach repairs, and interact with customers. For someone who learns by ‘doing’, this practical, side-by-side style of training has been invaluable. ‘Going out with engineers, working on jobs and showing me how to do things is helped me grow and works best for me,’ he shared.  

Beyond the technical support, it’s the atmosphere that stands out. The Forfar team is collaborative, welcoming, and always ready to help one another, whether that’s offering advice, answering questions, or lending a hand on a challenging job.  

A Day in the Life of Ben  

No two days are the same for Ben – that’s one of the things he enjoys most!  

His mornings start by arriving at the depot and finding out the day’s job from his supervisor. From there, he could be assisting another engineer, completing a service, doing repairs, or tackling electrical diagnostics. Other days, he might be on his own, an aspect of the job he finds exciting as a third-year apprentice.  

Recent jobs for Ben have included onsite work with telehandlers, replacing sensors, checking aerials, and carrying out smaller repair tasks. Ben shared that with each job, his confidence builds allowing him to approach new challenges with more independence and assurance.  

Favourite Parts & Future Goals  

For Ben, the best part of the job is the variety it brings. Travelling to different farms, meeting new people, and working on different brands every days keeps things interesting and motivates him to keep learning.  

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue building his skills and confidence after qualifying. He sees himself staying within the agricultural engineering world but is open to new opportunities down the line, potentially even exploring roles abroad or progressing into different areas of the industry as his experience grows.  

Advice for Future Apprentices 

When asked what he’d say to someone considering applying for a Scot Agri Apprenticeship, Ben’s answer was simple:  

‘Just go for it – you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try!’  

With hands-on learning, strong support from experienced engineers, and the chance to build a rewarding career, he believes it’s an excellent choice for anyone interested in machinery, mechanics, or agriculture!  

 Applications for our upcoming apprenticeship intake are officially open, and we’re looking for motivated individuals ready to learn and get stuck in. To apply, simply head to the Careers section of our website and start your journey with Scot Agri!