John Cain

John Cain – Stockton

Background

After serving 10½ years in the Army as a mechanic with the Royal Engineers and qualifying as a Class 1 Mechanic, John joined the Ripon Group. Today, John works as a  Service Manager supporting both agricultural and ground care equipment with 13 years’ experience in the dealership network.

John began his dealership career as a Trainee Agriculture Technician before progressing to Working Supervisor and now as a Service Manager, showcasing a clear pathway for development and leadership.

A Career Built on Progression

John’s transition from the military into the industry was supported through structured training, mentoring, and hands-on experience and he is now supporting other  people coming out the army to have the same.

“The programme gives people the opportunity to begin their training while they are still in the Army. It helps them make a more informed decision about their future and provides a real insight into the industry before they leave service.”

Through the programme, candidates can complete Certified Technician Programme Levels 1 and 2 during their resettlement period while still employed by the military. This includes an introduction to mechanical systems and dealership operations, making it especially valuable for those without an agricultural background.

Once in the dealership, trainees continue learning through individual depot mentors, extended work placement, ongoing John Deere training and a Certified Technician Level 3 development focused on John Deere systems and machinery.

Everyday is Different

As Service Manager, John now leads a team of agricultural and ground care mechanics, ensuring workloads are organised, customers are supported, and service operations run smoothly.

“Every day is different. It’s about making sure the team has the work they need, everything is covered, and customers are looked after.”

His military background continues to influence his leadership style and the way he supports others entering the industry.

Supporting the Next Generation

John became involved as a mentor after being approached directly by John Deere to support the Military Hiring Programme at Ripon Farm Services.

The mentoring structure gives new recruits both dealership-level support and access to wider group guidance.

“They’ve always got someone to go to — whether that’s their mentor in the depot, contacting myself or support from the wider business.”

John believes the programme brings highly transferable skills into the dealership environment.

“The work ethic, adaptability and can-do attitude from the military stand out immediately. People aren’t afraid to speak up if they need help, and they work well as part of a team.”

The Value of Military Experience

From John’s perspective, the programme strengthens the business by introducing people with diverse but highly relevant skill sets.

“Some military skills might not look directly relevant on paper, but they cross over really well into the dealership environment.”

The programme also helps service leavers gain confidence and familiarity with the John Deere product range and systems before officially joining the business.

“It gives people a real leg up. You gain valuable knowledge of the machines, products and ecosystem before your termination date from the military.”

Would John Recommend the Programme?

“Absolutely. It gives people genuine insight into the industry before they leave the military and helps prepare them for a successful long-term career.”

John’s journey from trainee technician to service manager is a strong example of how the company and the programme can open doors to long-term career progression, leadership opportunities, and continued professional development.