The lack of workers in contracting is a major problem again this year, Richie White, Chairman of the Association of Farm Contractors (FCI) in Ireland has said.

Speaking to Agriland he said that it’s a major problem, that the workers just don’t exist and that it’s a mix of everything that’s the problem.

“They come out of college and go on J1s or to Australia or Canada especially those who would be involved in this type of work.”

Speaking about someone he knew going to college, he said that of the c.250 in his year doing agriculture, only about 20 were going home to the farm to work.

He said that a lot of these graduates are going to the ‘Glanbias’ and the ‘Dairygolds’ of this world – more towards the ‘corporate side’ of agriculture.

“There’s a major skill shortage in contracting. Since the downturn the twenty-somethings have been emigrating. People in this line of work went to Australia with their friends who were electricians and plumbers.

[This lack of workers] is the biggest downfall in the agri-scene. There’s some 6,000 people doing some sort of agricultural course and when they finish there’s no sign of them on the ground.

“We’re stretched for workers especially at this time of year.”

Speaking about his own contracting business based in Drangan, Co. Tipperary, he said that there is six employees all year round and they try and get seasonal workers in for this time of year.

“They wouldn’t exactly be knocking the door down for the work. It’s just the whole psychology.”

White said that the average gross pay for contractors around the country would be in the region of €13/14 an hour.

“To be fair, they wouldn’t do it otherwise. There’s no interest in it that’s what I see; the hours are unsociable and it’s about three weeks of intense going.”

White said that the people running a proper operation are getting tarnished by those contractors paying less than what they should be.

“The perception of contractors needs to change – the black economy is causing problems.”

Agriland reported last year that the FCI was to meet with Teagasc to look into a pilot apprenticeship programme modelled on similar programme in Holland, however White said that there’s been no progress on this.

We have been talking to the Government since FCI was founded, for proper training for contracting. There’s a lot more to it than people think.

“Nowadays everything is complex and touch-screen. You need properly trained people, you can’t just put anyone up on these machines.

“The Germans had the same problem 10 years ago. They set up their own three-year course through the agricultural colleges that focused on machinery. Now they have qualified people for the job.

“Here, there is no qualification for doing the work, you don’t really have paperwork for the job. A machinery operator should be recognised as a professional.

“Long-term we need some sort of apprenticeship programme and the psychology needs to be changed – people don’t recognise contractors for the work we do.”

White said that young people need to be kept in rural Ireland, that everything is in Dublin or the other cities.

“The country is dying on its feet. We need the bigger parties to come together.”