Training is an important retention tool
A skills shortage in land-based training is anticipated in the very near future
The land-based engineering industry includes the following groups:
Agricultural machinery (tractors, harvest, cultivation and crop protection machinery)
Groundcare machinery (garden, sports turf and grounds maintenance machinery, sometimes called ‘outdoor power equipment’)
Forestry machinery (chainsaws, chippers)
Fixed machinery (grain/crop processing and milking equipment)
Construction machinery (there is some cross over between agricultural and construction machinery such as lift trucks, mini diggers).
It is felt that the industry will contract with up to 150 dealers disappearing. There will be more mergers and acquisitions within manufacturing companies, and dealerships will become fewer but larger.
A skills shortage is anticipated. The ageing workforce needs to improve its skills. Technology continues to improve, so demand for highly skilled technicians is growing.
There is concern about the age of proprietors, with 81% over the age of 45 and only 6% under 35. This highlights a potential problem regarding the future management of the industry.
Employers find it difficult to recruit and retain competent and motivated staff. This applies particularly to engineers, but also to sales personnel, parts staff and service managers. Other employers have trouble getting staff with the right attitudes and life skills.
Many employers find that their recruitment process often does not source the staff that they seek.
The industry is beginning to promote itself in schools, via schemes like the Tractors in Schools campaign, in response to a poor public perception of the industry caused by the downsizing of the manufacturing industry.
Employers have problems in keeping staff who are lured away after training to more lucrative engineering positions (e.g. HGV, construction plants). Some leave the industry altogether.
To tackle these problems, the following is needed:
Improved business management skills to understand the changes in the market place
Training for the existing workforce and recruiting and training new entrants
Development of new proprietors/managers
Improved training in machine diagnostics and new technologies for staff.
Some unknown facts...
The land-based engineering industry, including both manufacturers and supporting companies, had an estimated turnover of £2.7bn in 2004.
The largest turnover was in agricultural machinery which accounted for £1.3bn.
Ground care machinery engineering accounted for a further £500m.
UK agricultural engineering is a net earner in balance of trade terms with a surplus of over £100 million.
