'I did not conform to the career norm'

Laois-native, Tilly Doyle, is a parts representative at Templetuohy Farm Machinery (TFM) in Co. Laois. Her non-farming and non-machinery background made little impact on her chosen career path. She loves animals, and farming, and is a self-confessed machine-head. The 19-year-old tells Bernie Commins about her journey to TFM, her passion for parts, and plans for the future “My parents are both from Dublin and moved to Laois 25 years ago. Blow-ins, still,” she jokes. “My dad worked in newspapers on the marketing and management side, and he now works with a public affairs company. My mum was an interior designer in Dublin and gave it up to bring up five children, four girls and a boy, in Laois. There is no direct farming background in the family but my great grandparents on both sides in Galway and Limerick were farming.” The farming influence was all around Tilly as she grew up and there was no denying her affinity to the land and animals. “I am surrounded by farms here and many of my primary-school friends were from farm families. I love animals, especially cows, and farm machinery, especially tractors. No idea where that came from! I was lucky to get summer work on local farms helping out, and as I went through college, I was lucky enough to find myself in Co. Donegal, on placement for four weeks. As they had robots to milk the cows, I was sent out doing all machinery work, involving fencing and spreading slurry. I think that was where my love for machinery came from too. I was driving a New Holland t7-230 pulling a 2,500 gallon tanker and I absolutely loved it! It was great experience and definitely helped my confidence when driving machinery,” she says. Non-conforming Tilly’s interest in farming – more than her desire to have, as she calls it, a ‘high-flying job’ – sadly led to her being bullied in secondary school. This was because, she says, she did not conform to the career norm. She was interested in land and farming and was determined that her education must include agricultural science. An open day in Gurteen College opened that door. “My parents brought me to a Gurteen College open day and as soon as I got in the gates, I knew this was for me,” she says. Shortly after, she commenced boarding full time at the Tipperary agri-college – the only student that year with no farming background, and one of just 11 girls. Gurteen’s hands-on learning experience really enthused Tilly: “That was my favourite part,” she says. “I thoroughly enjoyed the farm practicals where I was learning a lot of new skills out in the yard, and particularly on the farm walks, seeing other people’s set-ups. Everyone has a different way of farming and that was interesting to see.” Back in the classroom, the livestock-breeding lectures really piqued her interest, she says. The course was transformative: “My parents think that the Gurteen College course was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Tilly says. “I am happy, confident around cattle and machinery, and I am now doing what I love, working with great people in a great industry.” But Tilly’s parents did worry a little, too, about how she would make her mark in a male-dominated industry and if she would be able to make a career in the agri-sector. “I am only five foot three inches and not exactly built for roughing it with cattle or a broken spreader,” she says. Her father confided in a friend who put them at ease: “My dad rang his good friend and neighbour in Laois, Noel Dunne (machinery editor, Irish Farmers Monthly) whom he knew from his newspaper days. Noel said the industry needs more women and that Gurteen was a fantastic place. He was right.” A chance with TFM A week after Tilly graduated with a Green Cert from Gurteen College, a farmer friend told her about the job in TFM. “I heard that there were 10 other applications for the role in the parts department, all male, and I did not rate my chances,” she admits. “But I had two rounds of interviews, and I ended up getting the job. I am just 19 and I was going to be the youngest ever wage earner in our house, and in my dream job.” And what does such a dream job involve? Tilly explains: “The job entails dealing with a lot of parts every day. Stock comes in and is sorted into different bin locations, every part has its own bin and it is critical to get them sorted properly. I also deal with customers coming in looking for parts. We have a system called Parts Advisor where we can locate each and every part on different models of John Deere machines. I’m kept busy through the days and I’m always making sure every customer is looked after in a timely manner, too.” While Tilly admits that it felt a little daunting at first working in such a male environment, she has settled in really well. “I just needed an open mind, we all need a modern mindset that accepts women’s roles in the farming future – we are half of the entire workforce! I don’t feel any different to the lads here in TFM. I can shout as good as any of them if I ever need to, and they know it,” she jokes. “I am treated no differently and rightly so except, maybe, when it comes to trying to lift a new and expensive gearbox or something equally heavy or expensive,” she says. The management and human resources (HR) functions at TFM have enabled Tilly to integrate well and she feels supported by the entire team: “TFM have been absolutely fantastic. They have a dedicated HR function and great managers. All the lads have been a great help as I am quite new to the machinery side of the industry. I’m part of a great team here at TFM, they never fail to keep me on my feet. They are all a huge help, I’m always learning something new every day! “Clients now ask specifically for me when they phone for parts, which is great. At first, a few of the older generation were a bit concerned when they saw this ‘little woman’ behind the counter, but they are over it now and I love all our customers,” she says. What do you love about the job? Tilly: “Where do I start? I love farm machinery, farm talk, our customers and staff. I live five minutes’ drive from TFM, and it is the best job in the world for me. There will always be a need for farm machinery and the technology is changing at an incredible pace. And we are right up there with the changes here in TFM.” Half the workforce Tilly is well placed to promote the machinery sector among women, and she is happy to do so: “Machines are just that, machines. Most people – regardless of sex – are capable of operating farm machinery with training. Farming and the agricultural machinery industry need more women. We are half the workforce of the world and we need to be getting out there, ploughing, drilling, seeding, spreading, and harvesting. Women need to see other women in the industry, and I would love to see more women coming in here as customers of TFM.” What is challenging about the job? Tilly: “Ensuring the right parts are passed out at the right price and keeping the inventory up to scratch is stressful. Parts are critical and no one can afford to be without the correct parts and fast installation at crucial times of the year. That’s why we are here and why I am here.” Plans for future When asked what the future holds, not even the sky is the limit for Tilly: “I would like to be here with TFM, with more experience and responsibility! EventuaIly, I would also like to farm my own land as well – with help, as this is a busy job in TFM! “In the distant future, I might go into politics like Mairead McGuinness, who worked alongside my father years ago. She has a top job in Europe and still has a working farm. She is a fantastic ambassador for women in farming and for Ireland in Europe.” Tilly has a further ambition: “I would like to be working alongside livestock as an embryologist or vet as I found my passion in that on my travels working on farms around the country.” And she has this piece of advice for anyone – especially women – who might be considering a career in agriculture or machinery: “There is nothing to stop you except perhaps some outdated thinking that it is not a woman’s job. Well, those people and any woman thinking of going into the farm-machinery industry, can ring me up here in TFM and I will tell them that, as half the world’s workforce, we are absolutely capable of operating, selling, managing and minding any agricultural machine. “If you have a passion for farming whether you come from a farming background or not, it definitely is possible.” QUICKFIRE ROUND BC: Are you a machine head? Tilly: Yes, absolutely. My dad is a petrol head, but I am the biggest machine head in our house, by far. BC: What car do you drive? Tilly: I have a modified silver 2010 mk6 Golf. In my free time I do love to try do a few bits to my car, as it is also one of my big interests. BC: What is your favourite tractor make and model, and why? Tilly: My favourite tractor is a CASE IH 1455XL as it’s a very good pulling tractor rated at 145bhp. A serious machine!