Are we creating a skills gap through our designs?
My father hailed from Ireland, and I've spent countless summers immersed in the stunning landscapes and peaceful charm of the country. Now, I'm sharing those same joys with my own children, introducing them to simpler pleasures — from long walks along the bay searching for sea creatures to delighting in the sounds of cows and sheep. It's all part of the joys of rural life.
During our recent visits, my uncle, who spent most of his life on the family’s small dairy farm before retiring, has often commented on how much has changed. It’s not so much about the Irish way of life, but about the technology that’s so deeply embedded in rural life — the tractor. A few years ago, he gave away his old tractor (the one I used to ride as a child, so you can imagine how ancient it is!) to a cousin, eager to find something new to tinker with. Another friend even shared videos of her teenage sons working on the same kind of tractor that they had restored for their own use.
Both tractors are old — as in decades-old. While modern tractors are exactly what they should be — more efficient, reliable, and digital — they’ve also become too complex for many small farmers to repair and maintain themselves, as they’ve always been able to with older models. I’ve had similar discussions with farmers in the U.S., where one of the few things many still hold onto is their older tractors because they simply can’t work on the new ones.
As I thought about this, I came across a McKinsey & Company report titled “The Future of Sales and Service for Off-Highway Equipment Dealers.” The overarching theme of the report was digitalization. Dealers who stay ahead of the curve with digitalized and electrified vehicles will have the advantage in both sales and service.
The report stated, “To thrive in this new environment, dealers must invest now to build sales and service organizations that can operate as digitalized, customer-centric businesses. This includes investments in new talent, such as setting up analytics teams and digital capabilities like e-commerce platforms. Dealers will also need to manage immediate talent shortages, like that of diesel technicians, by hiring from parallel industries or tapping into former technicians who have retired.”
This issue isn’t unique to agriculture. Similar reports have highlighted challenges in the airline industry, where unexpected plane redirects and unscheduled landings can be traced to a significant loss of experienced technicians who retired early during the COVID crisis.
My concern, as the report notes, is the lack of skilled technicians to work on these modern machines. Technological advancements are necessary, and OEMs must keep pushing forward. However, as the skills gap widens, how can we expect those who maintain these machines to keep up?
Technological progress must align with the skills of the workforce maintaining these systems, or we risk facing continual breakdowns. This challenge isn’t just about training; it’s about understanding the human element needed to keep these machines running smoothly. There must be a balance between advancing technology and ensuring there’s enough skilled service personnel to maintain it.