The 2020 AGM of the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) was held recently. In light of the current environment, the meeting was held as a joint physical and virtual event, with some members gathering in a physically distant fashion at the FTMTA HQ near Naas, while others joined by video call.

In addressing the AGM of the machinery industry association, the recently elected FTMTA president Diarmuid Claridge predominately highlighted two issues, staff recruitment and retention and mental health.

The president stated that the farm machinery industry must look at the problems around staff recruitment and retention and needs to look at itself to identity and resolve the problems in this area.

He added: “As an association, we want to represent a professional trade. The FTMTA is a symbol of service and we need to take pride in the services we provide and not be afraid to charge appropriately. We need highly skilled personnel to look after our customers’ machines and the customers require us to provide them with a skilled and quality support.

Together we can change the perception of working in our industry

“There are other aspects of the business that we also need to focus on in relation to recruiting and retaining staff. For example, our perceived working environment. This association has a role in promoting the industry and the opportunities within. The standards across all businesses have risen and we need to portray this to our future employees.”

“Together we can change the perception of working in our industry, and we need to start now in highlighting the benefits and advantages that working in this industry can bring. For some, it may be the constant challenge of working with latest technology, or for others it maybe the career path opportunities that can take them to many corners of the globe.”

“We need to instil employee pride in their roles, the companies they work for and the leaders they work with. Respect is key to maintaining relationships and continuity of staff both from an employee/ employer point of view but also from a customer point of view.”

Claridge also addressed the topic of mental health.

On a daily basis, we are all dealing with people, be it our staff or our customers

“We should all consider our interaction with others – staff, customers and suppliers. Mental health is a hidden problem but it is a significant issue in this country and as much, if not more so, in agriculture overall, and in our trade, as in any other sector. On a daily basis, we are all dealing with people, be it our staff or our customers. And there comes certain times of the year when the pressures of business increase. For the farmer, it may be poor prices or poor weather in a busy period, for our staff it may be trying to meet monthly or end of year targets, or for both it may simply be life stresses.

Stress and anxiety is a silent killer

“We all have our own pressures and everyone deals with stress and pressure differently and we should never assume we are all the same. Stress and anxiety is a silent killer and I ask you all today to consider that we never know what may be going on in another person’s life or mind.”

The new FTMTA president closed his first address to an AGM of the association by asking all in attendance “to be mindful of each other and those you work with on a daily basis. And remember, a simple action or word can make all the difference”.