Businesses struggle to find staff

The labour shortage in Ireland is a well-highlighted issue with many sectors struggling to find staff to fill roles. One company struggling to recruit staff in recent months is TractaMotors, who import, assemble and distribute machinery in Cavan Town. Their Agri Machinery manager James Clarke explains the issues they’ve been having.

“We import, assemble and distribute machinery throughout the country. We can put it on a truck and deliver it to wherever in Ireland the dealer is. The biggest problem we have now is finding the young people that are interested in getting a job at this type of work.”

Young people interested in putting machinery together are increasingly hard to get according to James.

“We’re struggling to get assembly people. They don't have to specifically have a qualification in mechanics, even though it would be great if they did.

“We’re looking for young people anywhere from 18 to 30 and that have some bit of an interest in machinery. The only thing they need is to know the difference between this sprayer and a fertiliser spreader, be able to use spanners and most importantly they want to work. This type of person is very hard to find at the minute. We've advertised a lot and are paying a good rate.”

James believes that while a lot of young people are attracted to the bright city lights of Dublin, it isn’t as good as it may seem.

“A lot of young people are working on their farms or they’re driving to Dublin every day. They hear of a great wage you can get working on sites up there. I'm sure when you examine it all and see exactly what hours they have to put in and the expense of driving up and down every day, it might not be that attractive anymore. We offer a good solid rate and a standard 39-hour week.”

At the minute he is badly struggling for staff, operating on only a fraction of what is required for full production

“I should have three assemblymen full time, but I only have one. We have people working in spare parts and others in sales, but we are desperately short on assembly people.”

James acknowledges that issues in finding staff aren’t limited to TractaMotors, with many other companies in different sectors struggling to recruit.

“If you talk to other people involved in the industry they say the same thing, it is hard to get young people to join. It’s not specific through our trade. I was talking to a publican, they can’t get anyone, it is the same everywhere.”