AEM launches workforce recruitment toolkit


The challenge of filling so many manufacturing jobs in the coming years is daunting, but AEM is among the organizations taking action to solve a major industry problem. Photo by Kevin Yanik.

According to a Deloitte report, 2 million positions could be left unfulfilled over the next decade within the manufacturing sector unless steps are taken to start filling the talent pipeline.

To proactively attract potential talent and bring awareness to manufacturing, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) developed a toolkit for manufacturers and others to use in outreach to their local schools and communities as they recruit the next generation of skilled workers. The toolkit was developed over the last few months in response to the workforce shortage affecting the equipment sector.

“With the skills gap this industry is facing, we need to collectively act or risk losing another generation of talent,” says Mark Core, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Vermeer Corp. who also serves as chair of AEM’s workforce development task force. “This industry offers good-paying jobs and exciting career paths, and we need to do a better job of telling that story in classrooms and our communities.”

AEM worked closely with the task force, which is made up of equipment manufacturers, dealers and education experts, to develop the tool kit. According to AEM, the kit’s ideas, activities and sample materials can be customized and applied to workforce development outreach efforts undertaken by any segment of the industry, including equipment distributors and dealers, operators and other industry stakeholders.

“Equipment manufacturers wanted to develop a resource they could use themselves, but also one they could share with their customer groups and end users to showcase the opportunities available throughout the industry – whether on the shop floor, at a dealership or on a jobsite,” says Dennis Slater, AEM president. “This toolkit provides actionable ideas, resources and support for employers in the equipment sector to kick-start their outreach or build on what they already have under way when it comes to recruiting our future workforce.”

The toolkit is one component of AEM’s overall workforce development program, which also includes a webinar series featuring subject matter experts from a variety of related topics.