More young people are training to be farm mechanics, says trade association
Sixty-seven young people are registered as being in phase one of the training scheme.
This is the highest level of registrations in the last three years. At the other end of the scale, there is a lower number of farm mechanics competing the final phase seven stage of the training programme.
Despite this, there is a steady number of mechanics in training at phases three and five.
The FTMTA said this reflects an increasing awareness of the career being one where there is an opportunity to learn a number of disciplines.
These can be applied in the farm machinery business but also give young people other options in career choices for the future.
It had, during the past year, circulated all guidance counsellors in the country with information about the opportunities in the farm machinery industry.
This was the first information programme ever carried out, through schools, to directly identify the opportunities in the farm machinery industry. It is planned to repeat the exercise later this year.
FTMTA Education Committee chairman, Donal Fitzpatrick, Monasterevin, said he was delighted to see more young people interested in becoming farm machinery mechanics.
The level of hi-tech components in farm machinery and the growing use of computer technology in maintenance provide a varied work experience and unrivalled multi-skilled training.
Mr Fitzpatrick said training in the craft of farm mechanic is now acceptable as part of the Green Certificate process and an increasing number of young farmers was joining the industry.
