About the role
AFGRI Equipment, South Africa's long standing John Deere dealership network, has opened 40 apprenticeship positions for candidates who want to qualify as a Tractor Mechanic or Earthmoving Equipment Mechanic. This is one of the larger structured technical training intakes offered anywhere in the country this year, spread across training centres in every region AFGRI operates in, including towns such as Bethal, Nelspruit, Worcester, Kempton Park, Middelburg and Kokstad, among many others.
AFGRI has held its John Deere agency since 1962, giving it decades of experience training technicians for agricultural, construction, forestry, and turf equipment. The apprenticeship itself runs for three years and is a genuine combination of workplace learning and formal instruction, not just supervised labour. Apprentices split their time between real workshop work under experienced mechanics and structured coursework through AgriSETA or MerSETA accredited training providers, working toward an industry recognised qualification by the end of the programme.
What apprentices actually learn covers the full scope of the trade: repair and maintenance of tractors, earthmoving machinery, and other agricultural equipment, diagnostics and fault finding, stock control and general workshop processes, and customer facing duties as part of daily operations. Training is delivered by AFGRI's own specialists as well as through supplier led sessions, and successful apprentices walk away with a nationally recognised qualification rather than an informal certificate.
Importantly, AFGRI covers the cost of the required training for apprentices who complete each phase successfully, so this is not a programme applicants need to pay into. The only cost risk mentioned in the official programme details is that a repeated subject due to a failed assessment would be at the apprentice's own cost, which is a fairly standard condition across structured apprenticeships of this kind.
To qualify, applicants need Grade 12 with English and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics specifically, Mathematical Literacy is explicitly not accepted for this programme. A valid driver's licence and basic computer literacy are also required, along with reasonably strong communication and administrative skills, since apprentices are expected to log work, follow procedures, and communicate clearly with both supervisors and customers. Physical Science or Technical Science, along with prior exposure to Diesel Trade Theory or Motor Trade Theory, count as advantageous extras rather than hard requirements, so candidates without them can still apply.
This opportunity suits school leavers based in or able to relocate to one of AFGRI's many regional training centres, and who are genuinely drawn to mechanical, hands on work in agriculture or heavy equipment rather than light vehicles. Given the scale of this intake, 40 positions spread nationally, it is one of the more accessible large scale apprenticeship programmes currently open in South Africa, though competition for regional intake spots will still be real given the programme's reputation.
Applications close on 30 September 2026. When applications open, candidates should go to www.afgri.co.za/careers, select the option to view open positions, search specifically for the Apprenticeship Programme listing, and complete the required screening questionnaire as part of the online application. As with any apprenticeship, never pay a fee at any stage of the process, and treat requests for payment from anyone claiming to represent AFGRI as a scam.
Requirements
- Grade 12 with English and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy not accepted)
- Valid driver's licence
- Computer literacy
- Good communication and administrative skills
- Physical Science or Technical Science advantageous
- Diesel Trade Theory or Motor Trade Theory advantageous
How to apply
Applications are handled by AFGRI Equipment on their own site. Careers360 does not collect your documents and never charges a fee to apply.
