AEM members building workforce solutions from the classroom to the career path

By Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net

Finding enough skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing equipment manufacturers, dealers, and businesses across agriculture and construction. Yet according to Julie Davis, senior vice president of people strategy with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the industry’s response has evolved far beyond simply acknowledging the problem. Today, many manufacturers are taking deliberate action to strengthen the workforce pipeline at every stage, from introducing middle school students to technical careers to creating long-term development opportunities for experienced employees.

The effort is highlighted in a new AEM workforce development report that showcases how equipment manufacturers are tackling workforce challenges through innovative recruiting, employee retention strategies, and educational partnerships.

For many employers, success starts with rethinking how they recruit new talent.

“The strategy that is working today is not doing one thing,” Davis said. “It is doing multiple, multiple things.”

Rather than relying solely on traditional recruiting methods, manufacturers are expanding their reach into a variety of talent pools and community organizations.… Continue reading