My first ‘real’ job after leaving horticultural college was as a head gardener in a local convent. My job was to keep the lawns and flower beds in good order and supply the nuns with fresh vegetables for most of the year. I had replaced the former head gardener who had just retired and I had lots of ideas as to how I would do the tasks that lay ahead of me.

Going through the old sheds I came across an old walk behind Howard rotavator. The last time I saw such a machine was in my grandfather’s garden, which he used to till the soil. I was keen to get this Howard working but when I took it out it wouldn’t start.

Getting nowhere, I decided to bring it down to the local lawnmower shop, which had a garage. The mechanic there looked at it and, seeing the condition of it, said ‘You’d be better off getting a new machine, by the time you have paid for getting this one back to working order”. Disappointed with hearing this I left and brought the Howard back to the convent. I then remembered that John, a neighbour of mine, had his own car garage so I decided to pay him a visit. He looked at the old Howard and said “Leave it with me and I’ll see what I can do”. Several days later I returned to John and to my pleasant surprise the rotavator was back in full working order, for little remuneration. John had been in the trade for many years and gained lots of experience. He knew all about engines like the back of his hand.

I used the machine for the rest of that season before I moved on to a new job later in the year.

There are many good mechanics around the country who, like John, are worth their weight in gold. When the time comes for them to leave their job or retire they will be difficult to replace. This leaves a dilemma for garage owners, and dealers as it is hard to get trained and experienced mechanics in the agri and sportsturf sector. There is a growing need for young qualified apprentices in agricultural mechanics.

There are some places in Ireland that specialize in agricultural and groundcare mechanical training.

CAFRE at their Greenmount Campus in Co. Antrim offer a Level 3 in Land-based Engineering. This is a full-time two year course which includes summer work experience. However, the closing date to apply for the next course, starting in September 2019, is the end of June so those interested need to apply straight away. Phone Dr. Stephen Graham on 048 94426745 for more details or email him at stephen.graham@daera-ni.gov.uk You can also apply online by visiting www.cafre.ac.uk

Generation Apprenticeship offer an Agricultural Mechanics Apprenticeship which, on successful completion, the apprentice is awarded a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Agricultural Mechanics. This apprenticeship consists of four on-the-job phases with an approved employer and three off-the-job phases in an educational organisation. Apprentices will be invited to attend their off-the-job training phases in accordance with the SOLAS scheduling system. For more information visit www.apprenticeship.ie