The latest AED Foundation’s report, “The Equipment Industry Technician Shortage: Reassessing Causes, Impacts and Policy Recommendation,” cites critical near and longer term workforce development challenges for operators of diesel powered fleets. Compiled by the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., it finds the industry has a job opening rate three times higher than the national average and will need to fill up to 73,500 heavy equipment technicians over the next five years. Among Associated Equipment Distributors member dealerships, nearly 90 percent have a job opening rate above the national average, along with a shortage of workers in their companies, and 95 percent see a skills gap across the industry.
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