By Bronwyn Hastings

Emmetts  Horsham service apprentice Kyle Burns is a finalist in John Deere Australia and New Zealand’s technician of the year awards.

One of 30 regional finalists across five award categories, Mr Burns is one of six in the service apprentice of the year category.

He started his Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology after a two-decade career as an automotive electrician.

“My partner was in the ag business and said Emmetts had expressed interest in hiring an auto elec, and I thought, why not? I came up to see what it was about and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.

“When I started, once I ran out of electrical jobs, I started doing other jobs and they asked if I wanted to do a dual trade.

“So I started my diesel ticket and I’m about halfway through that now.”

Mr Burns, who does not have an agricultural background, said knowledge was key.

“The more I learned, the more I got interested, and it’s just sort of snowballed from there,” he said.

“I had nothing to do with tractors until I came here – I was thrown in the deep end, but with an electrical background, I relied on that to get me in the door and then everything else has been a learning experience.”

Mr Burns said he was nervous and excited to be an awards finalist.

“I’m excited to go up there, but nervous to compete against everyone else who’s going to be really good – I’m sure it’ll be tough competition,” he said.

The awards will be presented to Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year, Construction and Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year and Parts Apprentice of the Year.

Judges have described the competition across all categories as some of the strongest seen since the 2021 inception of the program.

John Deere director of aftermarket and customer support, Steph Gersekowski, said the stories behind this year’s submissions were incredibly powerful, demonstrating the real-
world impact technicians have on customers and the communities they serve.

“We saw examples of technicians going above and beyond to support customers, often in critical situations, where keeping equipment operating had a direct impact on a customer’s business,” Ms Gersekowski said.

“Those outcomes don’t happen by chance. They are the result of dealerships creating environments where people can develop their skills, embrace new technologies and build long-term careers.”

Mr Burns said it was never too late for a change in careers.

“If you’re keen to learn, then you can do anything – Emmetts is a great place to work, it’s fast-paced, ever-changing, there’s all sorts of new technology coming out every day,” he said.

“You don’t have to come from a farm – a farming background definitely helps because a lot of them are driving tractors really early, but as long as you are keen to learn, it doesn’t matter.”

Regional finalists will now progress to the next stage of the competition, with winners announced at the John Deere Technician of the Years Awards gala event on September 3.

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