AED Foundation, Illinois Central College, and SkillsUSA Partner to Find Future Heavy-Equipment Techs

Feb. 11, 2021 - The AED Foundation (AEDF) is partnering with SkillsUSA and Illinois Central College (ICC) to help alleviate North America’s widespread technician shortage by establishing a pipeline of qualified technicians among high-school and post-secondary students.

AEDF high school recognition is useful for helping future heavy diesel technicians to begin their career paths. AEDF recognition is a practical marketing approach that encourages parents, students, high-school counselors, post-secondary programs, and industry media to pursue qualified technicians.

“The AED Foundation is pleased to announce this essential partnership with Illinois Central College and SkillsUSA,” said AEDF’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Blake. “Illinois Central College is one of our flagship schools, and SkillsUSA brings substantial credibility, integrity, and experience to workforce development.”

Illinois Central College’s general diesel program earned a reputation of industry excellence as the USA’s top performing school via the SkillsUSA competition. Its entrants represent 95% of all USA finalists. The AED Foundation, SkillsUSA, and ICC anticipate an influx of heavy equipment technicians in Illinois because of this effort.

AEDF accredited colleges, AED members, and high-school faculty collaborate to develop mutually beneficial programs for high schools and AED member dealers. The high school diesel program must exemplify one to two of the AEDF six standard requirements to qualify for recognition, and an AEDF accredited college must be able to sponsor the high school program. These standards are industry certified.

To learn more about AEDF high school recognition, contact The AED Foundation's Manager of Academic Services, Linley Thompson, at lthompson@aednet.org.

Established in 1991 and directed by AED members, The AED Foundation addresses professional education and workforce development in the industry. That includes AEDF accreditation of diesel-equipment technology college programs and AEDF recognition of secondary diesel programs.