The AED Foundation’s new Journey of a Certified AEDF Technician video takes viewers through all of the stages a student with interest in the industry can go through with Foundation support. Each scene showcases various resources that the Foundation offers to help students prepare for a career as a heavy equipment technician. This blog post will cover all of these resources and the stages students must go through to become Certified AEDF Technicians.
The AED Foundation helps students as young as 13 consider a career as a heavy equipment technician by participating in the Construction Career Aptitude Test. This free test was designed for students aged 13-17, making it ideal for teens interested in industry-related topics. The Construction Career Aptitude Test allows these students to put their knowledge to the test and identify key strengths and weaknesses in their learning, covering subjects like general mathematics, basic electrical, safety and more.
After completing the Construction Career Aptitude Test, students with an AEDF recognized high school program in their area can attend the program to continue to build their knowledge on the heavy equipment industry. Students will begin to learn about AEDF’s six core competencies in these recognized programs. The High School Certification Test is offered at the end of the program to test students’ skills.
If a student doesn’t have access to a recognized high school program but still wants to sharpen their heavy equipment industry knowledge before training to become a technician, they can participate in AEDF’s new stackable credentials programs. These programs are entirely online and can be completed in students’ downtime at home. By earning these credentials, high school students demonstrate their commitment to industry education and stand out from peers by preparing themselves for their technician training post-graduation. All high school students interested in a career in the heavy equipment industry can benefit from the stackable credentials programs.
All junior and senior high school students currently have the opportunity to apply for The AED Foundation Scholarship if they plan to attend an AEDF accredited college program. If accepted, the student will receive $2,000 towards their education to become a Certified AEDF Technician. Application deadlines have recently been extended through December 31, 2020, and can be found here.
After graduating from high school, students become AEDF Certified Technicians by attending an AEDF Accredited College Program. These programs, available across North America, have been tailored to meet the Foundation’s rigorous standards for students, offering those who attend the programs a superior education to prepare them for the workforce. These two-year programs teach students all of the six core competencies in detail. Before becoming an AEDF Certified Technician, students must take the AEDF Certified Technician Test at the end of the program.
Beyond becoming a Certified AEDF Technician, technicians can take one of AEDF’s Certified Manager Programs to develop the skills needed to advance into a management role at a dealership, if desired. These programs offer various options for whatever management role a technician may be working towards, including branch management, parts management, sales management, rental management and service management.
To see all of these phases of becoming a technician in action, watch our Journey of a Certified AEDF Technician Video.
