Rea Valley Tractors is proud to celebrate the success of our very own apprentice, Anna Welland, who has been named Land-based Engineering Technician of the Year 2025.

The prestigious award, run by We Are Land-based Engineering and overseen by the Land-based Engineering - Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC Ltd), recognises outstanding young talent across the land-based engineering sector in the UK. With a record number of entries from technicians nominated by peers, employers, and lecturers, the award highlights the skills, dedication, and innovation shaping the future of the industry.

Anna’s Achievement

Anna, who is completing her apprenticeship with Rea Valley Tractors and studying at Writtle College, stood out to the judges for her strong academic performance, hands-on technical ability, and clear passion for agricultural engineering. Her commitment to learning and her enthusiasm for the sector made her a role model candidate and earned her a well-deserved place among the top three winners.

For securing third place in the competition, Anna was awarded a Makita UK Tool Ki, an invaluable resource as she continues to build her career in the industry.

Industry Recognition

Speaking about this year’s competition, Charlie Nicklin, CEO of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), praised the calibre of entries, “As judges it was a challenge to get to our three winners from the fantastic array of entries we had this year. The three technicians chosen are a credit to their employers and have individually shone through for a variety of reasons, including technical ability, commitment and passion in their roles. They are all great ambassadors for our industry and will hopefully inspire others going forward”.

Gareth Ford of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) shared, "The three outstanding technicians showcase the skills, talent, and dedication that our industry has to offer. Their achievements reflect the strength of our training providers, employers, and the wider land-based engineering community.”

We extend our congratulations to Anna for this fantastic achievement and look forward to supporting her as she continues to develop her career in land-based engineering.

About the Awards

The Land-based Engineering Technician of the Year Award, backed by LE-TEC Ltd, is part of the We Are Land-based Engineering initiative, which aims to raise awareness of career opportunities in the sector and inspire the next generation of technicians.