Trade school and industry affiliates are key for students to build lasting connections through partnerships that strengthen the workforce pipeline and provide hands-on experience.
Brian P. McGuire
President, AED Foundation
The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Foundation believes workforce development is about more than education — it’s about connecting people. By bringing together students, educators, equipment dealers, and manufacturers, the AED Foundation builds relationships that strengthen the workforce pipeline and the equipment industry as a whole.
Real-world readiness
With a focus on workforce development, the AED Foundation’s High School Recognition and College Accreditation programs establish industry-driven standards for technical education while connecting schools with local dealerships and industry affiliates. These relationships create opportunities for students to explore rewarding careers while helping employers build a pipeline of future talent. To date, the AED Foundation has recognized 152 high schools and accredited 104 college programs across North America.
The impact of those connections continues to grow. More than 5,000 students have connected directly with industry partners through AED Foundation career days, facility tours, classroom presentations, equipment demonstrations, and other workforce events that provide valuable hands-on experiences. Over the past four years, AED Foundation accredited colleges have graduated approximately 5,000 students, with 86 percent of those students entering careers within the equipment industry, including 1,447 newly certified technicians.
Preparation that meets demand
Supporting these efforts is the AED Foundation Standards Committee and its Evaluation Team Leaders, who have dedicated more than 4,000 hours to evaluating post-secondary programs and curriculum to ensure graduates are prepared to meet the evolving technical and workforce demands of the equipment industry.
Research and industry collaboration play a critical role in the Foundation’s workforce development strategy. Two comprehensive studies examining the skilled worker shortage have provided valuable insight into the industry’s workforce challenges, helping the Foundation strengthen its programs and better support students, educators, and employers. Its efforts have also returned more than $100,000 to the equipment industry through federal and state workforce grants while supporting industry-specific research on immigration reform.
Future-forward
According to AED Foundation Chairman and President of Bejac Corporation, Ron Barlet, the Foundation’s greatest strength is the lasting partnerships it creates:
“One of the AED Foundation’s greatest strengths is the partnerships we build and continue to nurture,” said Barlet. “We don’t simply recognize a school or connect a dealership with a program and walk away. We stay engaged — supporting educators, students, dealerships, manufacturers, and our industry partners as those relationships grow. That ongoing collaboration creates stronger programs, better career opportunities, and a workforce pipeline that benefits not only AED members, but the equipment industry as a whole.”
By connecting the dots between education, industry, and research, the AED Foundation is building a stronger workforce — and a stronger future — for the equipment industry.
