I never thought my first time driving a tractor would be at a Kubota Connect media event in the middle of a field in the Orlando heat, and yet that’s exactly how it unfolded. I found myself on a training course attempting to knock golf balls off strategically placed poles while operating a Kubota BX90 series machine. Although I have never driven a tractor before, I was shocked by just how easy it was to operate. If I could figure it out, then surely any newcomer to the facilities or grounds management field could as well, which is exactly the point.
Modern facility and ground equipment design heavily prioritizes ease of use for inexperienced users, which is especially helpful as the facilities management industry faces an acute workforce shortage. As long-tenured employees are reaching retirement age, it is important for new talent to learn the ropes as quickly as possible.
The new design philosophy for grounds equipment focuses on minimizing the learning curve for beginners, so managers can spend less time on training. Modern machinery has physical cues built into the equipment that naturally show a user how to interact with it and use smart technology that guides beginners through animations or video tutorials. The Kubota BX90 series tractors prioritize intuitive control with all-new side-by-side HST pedals to create a more natural operating position and make forward and reverse changes easier to navigate. The tractor’s telematics can feed information into an app that tells operators about fuel consumption, fluid pressures and even provide early alerts when issues are arising.
“The goal of any machinery today, and certainly ours, is to make the job easier,” says Bobby Cummings, director of product marketing at Kubota. “Not only are things easier to operate but they are also easier to service, that even someone like me, with no mechanic background, could get in there.”
Making equipment easier to operate is only part of the equation when it comes to attracting the next generation. Younger workers entering the field have grown up with technology that is connected and designed to put information at their fingertips. They expect the tools they use at work to be just as approachable. Equipment that reduces the intimidation factor for someone new can help managers bring in talent from outside the traditional pipeline, while technology that simplifies operation and maintenance can give new employees the confidence to take on more responsibilities sooner.
Ultimately, catering to the younger generation is about building a workforce that can carry the industry forward. The easier it is for newcomers to learn and succeed, the more likely they are to see facilities management as a lifelong career. Embracing the expectations and strengths of the next generation may be one of the most important investments facilities managers can make today.
Elaina Myers is the assistant editor of the facilities market. She has covered various topics from pest management to resilience to sustainability and covers all holidays and special days in the facilities field. She also manages the FacilitiesNet social media accounts.
