Construction Equipment Guide
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Mon May 08, 2023 - National Edition #10
It's no secret to anyone working in equipment manufacturing the ever-growing technician shortage is a problem poised to get a lot worse before it gets better.
According to a 2020 AED Foundation industry research report, the industry may need to fill as many as 73,500 heavy equipment technician positions by 2025. In addition, the report stated equipment manufacturing possesses a job opening rate three times higher than the national average. Among survey respondents, 95 percent agreed with the assertion there was a skills gap in the industry, while 89 percent reported a shortage of workers within the walls of their respective companies.
Now, I don't want to suggest the widespread technician shortage can be quickly addressed, let alone easily solved. However, equipment manufacturers can (and should) embrace and adopt a number of short-term and long-term strategies to set themselves up for sustained success as it relates to workforce development.
Let's examine four in detail:
So many pieces of the technician workforce puzzle can only be lightly influenced. However, one area companies can focus efforts to drive positive change as it relates to retention is workplace culture. Start by asking the following two questions:
There's really no overstating the importance of finding ways to fill an organizational talent pipeline. And while it takes time to secure a return on investments of time, effort and resources to do so, it's worth it to take proactive steps to ensure desired results.
Simply contacting the nearest local technical college once or twice a year isn't going to be enough to attract and acquire talent. Regularly engage with educational institutions. Be part of review committees. Get in front of students in classrooms. Donate equipment. More than anything else, do what it takes to be top of mind when these schools begin looking to place their best students. It will pay dividends over time.
In addition, it's important to connect with high schools feeding into technical college programs. One effective way to do so is to introduce the high schools to a free, available high school technician curriculum offered through Curriculum for Ag Science Education. It's not just an ag technician curriculum, but rather a program which introduces the technician career to a wide audience and enhances industry perception to parents, teachers and students. As a bonus, there is a built-in industry connection opportunity though the collection of used parts and by offering several class visits.
Organizations must be willing to shed light on the significant industry demand for qualified workers and worthwhile career opportunities, because chances are they aren't aware of the extent of the existing technician shortage. Technician program partnerships, apprenticeships, job shadowing or any other work-and-learn program are the most effective way to connect with new workers. And, ultimately, partnering with education is critical for retention, as technicians require ongoing training and development.
Want to really move the needle when it comes to acquiring talent? Do the following:
Because the technician shortage is one of the industries biggest issues, AEM's Workforce Development Committee has created a technician taskforce. We'll be sharing examples of survey questions, stay interview questions and other practices being used by industry members to help move the needle in this space.
AEM also is partnering with, and supporting the work of, the AED Foundation. If you're not aware of the AED Foundation's work to accredit 100 colleges and recognize 150 high schools in heavy equipment technology programs, you can learn more about its Vision 2025 by visiting the AED Foundation website.
When it comes to understand the work being done to support the industry's need in this space, there are many associations that are trying to collaborate rather than duplicate efforts. Just as there's no one thing that a company can do to help ease the technician shortage, there's no one associate that can solve the challenge on their own.
With much work to be done and a new technician taskforce being formed, more information will be generated on this topic. In the meantime, make sure to visit AEM's Workforce Solutions Toolkit to access valuable resources.
For more information, visit www.aem.org.