'Take the leap and apply' urges award-winning engineer

Luke Waldram, from Bridgnorth, graduated from Harper Adams last year with an MEng Automotive (Off-Highway) Engineering degree.

The award-winning student is now working for AGCO, a global leader in agricultural machinery and precision technology, as their Massey Ferguson Technical Trainer across the UK and Ireland.

He said: “In my role, I design and deliver technical training on AGCO’s latest machinery for dealer and service teams across the UK and Ireland. It’s given me the chance to stay at the cutting edge of the industry, grow a wide professional network, and even travel internationally to AGCO’s manufacturing sites.

“It’s a great insight into how large-scale agricultural engineering and production works on a global scale.

“I genuinely enjoy my role at AGCO and my current focus is on continuing to build my expertise while gradually progressing into management. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and committed to growing as my career evolves.”

Luke’s final-year Masters research project - for which he investigated the feasibility of integrating stop-start technology into off-highway vehicles – secured him a national award from the Institution of Agricultural Engineers.

During the project, he worked with staff at Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK to develop his research, which aimed to fill an ‘innovation gap’ in the market.

Luke credits real-world experiences such as this with helping prepare him for his role in industry.

“I use the technical skills I gained at Harper Adams every day, and the confidence this has given me is invaluable,” he added.

“Harper has this great ability to build a mindset of independence, adaptability, and problem-solving. It’s no wonder employers often say Harper engineers are ‘ready from day one’ — it’s true!
“We’re trained to hit the ground running in real-world environments, and that makes all the difference.”
While he quickly found his feet as an engineer at University, Luke wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school – until, searching for suitable courses, he found the answer right on his doorstep in Shropshire.

He added: “I’d always had an interest in agricultural machinery, and I really enjoyed studying Engineering at A-Level, so I started looking for a course that could combine both.

“That’s when Harper Adams really stood out.

“It was the only university I found that offered exactly what I was looking for: an engineering degree focused on agriculture, with the perfect mix of theory and hands-on experience with real equipment.

“The facilities are outstanding, from the workshops to the wide range of on-site machinery, and the chance to put classroom knowledge into practice was simply unmatched. That practical, applied approach was exactly what I was looking for.”

Luke was also one of six students chosen to travel to the USA on an Engineering exchange, visiting Mississippi State University to begin what is hoped to be a long-term collaboration focusing on project and resource capabilities between both institutions.

Now, he’s urging anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps to get in touch with the University and discuss their options.

Luke said: “Harper Adams is truly a unique environment where the more you put in, the more you get out. It’s a place where innovation meets real-world impact and where students are empowered to become the next generation of industry leaders.

“From my very first open day, Harper Adams immediately felt like a home away from home for me, and that’s something that has never changed. For anyone considering studying at Harper, not just engineers, my best advice is to stop considering, take the leap and apply!”

Luke’s story is among those featured in the Harper Adams University We Are Here campaign – to see more, visit: harper.ac.uk/here

For students receiving their results this week and still seeking a university place, the Harper Adams University Clearing team can be contact on 0300 131 3950 or by visiting harper.ac.uk/clearing