What does it take to cultivate a successful career in agriculture? We caught up with Hamish Stenhouse, a fourth-year apprentice engineer at our Kelso depot, to learn more about his journey with the Scot Agri apprenticeship program. With a background in farming and a passion for machinery, Hamish saw an exciting opportunity to merge these interests when he came across our apprenticeship posts on social media. Eager to turn his passion into a career, Hamish joined Scot Agri, and the rest is history!  

Why Scot Agri? 

Hamish expressed that the Scot Agri apprenticeship program was an excellent opportunity for him to learn while he earned whilst also gaining a recognised qualification, a route that would give him invaluable experience at a young age. He also valued how the Scot Agri apprenticeship allowed him to combine two of his passions: agriculture and machinery!  

Life At Scot Agri Kelso  

When asked about life as an apprentice engineer, Hamish shared that he enjoyed the variety in his role as no two days are the same. Hamish spends his days either on-site carrying out repairs and servicing machinery, working in the workshop, or handling various tasks around the depot. Throughout his time as an apprentice, Hamish explained he has progressively been given more responsibility and now that he is in his fourth year of his apprenticeship, he is more customer facing. Hamish said, “I’m doing a lot more jobs on-site by myself, which I really enjoy.”  

Support & Development  

One of the highlights of the apprenticeship for Hamish has been being part of the dedicated team at our Kelso depot. Hamish shared that the team is incredibly helpful and supportive, always ready to help on another. “No matter where I am – whether at the depot or out on-site – there’s always someone willing to offer support and guidance.” Hamish also mentioned that he learns a great deal from his more experienced colleagues, often reinforcing his knowledge by helping younger apprentices at Kelso. This collaborative learning environment has been invaluable to Hamish, boosting his confidence and enabling him to tackle larger, more complex tasks as his apprenticeship has progressed. 

Training  

Hamish particularly enjoys Scot Agri’s in-house training with our Group Trainer, Angus, on loadalls, finding it incredibly useful for developing his skills. He also values the manufacturer training with Massey Ferguson and JCB, which provides him better understanding of the machinery and its operation. This hands-on training has been vital in enhancing his technical expertise and confidence in handling a variety of equipment.  

Hamish’s advice to anyone considering applying is simple: “It’s a great industry to work in, so go for it!” He encourages aspiring apprentices to take the leap and join the Scot Agri team!  

To find out more about Scot Agri's Apprenticeships, click here!