The agricultural machinery industry is worth approximately €550m to Ireland. The jobs in this sector are varied. Young people will often start in the workshop and some will move in to sales.

Machinery dealers like this option, as it gives sales staff an in-depth understanding of the product.

Other manufacturing companies are seeking both engineers and technicians, for design and fabrication using 3D modelling and CAD and the latest fabrication techniques.

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Anyone interested in farm machinery will know that the pace of development over the last 10 years has been phenomenal.

The technology in tractors, combines, and all facets of equipment has surpassed the pace of the motoring industry in some regards.

Many manufacturers now claim that some of the electrical components used in the agricultural machinery sector today are on a par with those used in modern airplanes.

The modern tractor is a distant relation from the tractors used in the 1990s and 2000s. This is partially due to the introduction of the emission regulations, engine management software, and the smart farming revolution that is closer than you think.

Agricultural machinery has evolved into a very strong sub-sector within Irish engineering. The sub-sector generates exports of over €100m.

Irish agricultural machinery tends to be more rugged and built to a higher specification than machinery from some other countries. As a result, the products tend to be very popular with all contractors and farmers.

Irish-made trailers, balers, tankers, and feeding equipment can be found working the world over.

Engineering students in Ireland are lucky to have great manufacturers here, with world-class reputations.

New engineering courses

The demand for well-educated, motivated young people to the industry has never been higher. This has lead to the development of new courses, not just on the engineering side, but now also on the maintenance of machines.

A new degree programme by IT Tralee and the FTMTA allows students for the first time to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Mechanisation. The aim of the course is to develop young, enthusiastic service personal educated to Level 7. This course has been developed due to demand from the industry.

A contractor or farmer who invests thousands in modern, hi-tech machinery has a valuable asset that needs to work effectively, and needs a professional competent support team behind him at the dealer’s yard.

The graduates from this course are destined to provide this hi-tech service and back-up in the future.

If you are interested in a career in the agri-industry, come along to the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, which takes place in the RDS on 3 March 2016. For more information, click here.