Month: November 2020

The AED Foundation Certifies More Than 1,400 Diesel Technicians

Posted on
Schaumburg, IL – Since January 2018, the AED Foundation’s (AEDF) testing program has resulted in the addition of 1,405 AEDF Certified Technicians in heavy equipment. This critical milestone serves as an exemplary industry program model to alleviate North America’s diesel technician workforce shortage while simultaneously supporting the Foundation’s goal of producing 5,000 AED certified technicians by 2025. This ambitious goal intends to increase the pipeline of qualified technicians via the AEDF Technical Standards and helps technicians showcase their skillsets to peers, superiors, and employers.
The AED Foundation’s Executive Vice President and COO Jason Blake states, “The Foundation is extremely proud to have certified this many technicians to date, but there is still more work to be done. AEDF’s Vision 2025 goal to certify 5,000 technicians will raise the bar for technicians across the industry and bring more qualified workers into this career path. Reaching this goal will help the Foundation to assist AED members in finding high-quality technicians to employ at their dealerships.”
The AEDF Certified Technician Test includes 160 questions developed by industry leaders, testing students’ knowledge of essential industry standards and technician best practices derived from AEDF’s six core competencies. Technicians who become certified demonstrate their commitment to the heavy equipment industry and stand out from their peers in the applicant pool. This program allows technicians to show off their skills and receive a certificate proving their expertise after completing the program.
For more information on The AED Foundation’s Certified Technician Program, click here or contact Vice President of Education and Programming, Liz McCabe, at lmccabe@aednet.org.

AEDF’s Certified Technician Program: The Steps to Becoming Certified

Posted on

The AED Foundation’s Certified Technician Program offers technicians the opportunity to earn a certification that displays their knowledge and expertise in the industry. Certified Technicians have proven that they are a top-tier technician by passing the Certified Technician Test. This title helps technicians stand out from their peers and shows customers that they meet industry standards to maintain their equipment properly. This blog will walk dealers and technicians through the process of completing AEDF’s Certified Technician Program.  

The first step in the Certified Technician Program is purchasing the certified technical test. This test can be purchased for $100 for members or $200 for non-members. Purchasing the test and accessing the online testing area is made simple for dealers, as the process is completed entirely online. Once purchased, dealers will receive their login and password information to access and review results and benchmarking data. Technicians taking the test will receive their login information to access the test.  

Test takers will get 120 minutes to complete the 160-question test. Technicians must receive a score of 70 percent or high to achieve the certification. The certified technical test may be taken twice with no additional fee to the organization. Upon completion, results are immediately available to the organization. Test questions are based on AEDF’s six core competencies: diesel engine, power trains, electric/electronics, A/C and heating, hydraulics/hydrostatics, and safety/administration.  

Technicians that pass will be mailed their credential materials which include a certificate and wallet card. Certified Technicians may purchase a kit that consists of a certificate wood frame, logo hat, lapel pin, two uniform patches, and toolbox decals.  

If you’re interested in offering the certified technician program to technicians at your dealership, please contact Vice President of Education and Programming, Liz McCabe, at lmccabe@aednet.org. 

An Overview of The AED Foundation’s Certified Technician Program

Posted on

The AED Foundation’s (AEDF) Certified Technician Program offers technicians the opportunity to showcase the skills they have earned as a technician in the equipment industry. One can become a certified AEDF technician through an AEDF accredited college program or complete the Foundation’s technical test. For technicians, this test is beneficial as it allows them to test their knowledge and prove that they meet industry standards. With an AEDF certification, technicians have a credential that demonstrates their capabilities to dealers and peers alike.

A dealer who provides their technicians with access to this program shows their customers that they value their technicians’ performance and capability. These certifications stand out to customers as a symbol of excellence, meaning they can trust the dealer to service their equipment effectively. Investing in your technicians’ education is a great way to show them that you value the hard work they put into their careers. Certifying technicians is a great way to level up your dealership, and as an AED member, you can purchase the test for half the price that nonmembers pay, at just $100. This certification is a tangible way for technicians to display their commitment to the equipment industry.

After the certification is earned, technicians will receive credential materials, a certificate and a wallet card. Certified Technicians can also purchase a kit that includes a certificate wood frame, a logo hat, a lapel pin, two uniform patches and toolbox decals.

The AED Foundation Awards Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co. IRAP Designation

Posted on

Schaumburg, IL – Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co. recently became the first AED distributor member recognized by The AED Foundation (AEDF) as an Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP). AEDF is pleased to congratulate Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co. on this significant accomplishment. As a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) for the heavy equipment industry, apprenticeship program recognition from AEDF allows technicians who complete their apprenticeship to become Certified AEDF Technicians. This distinction demonstrates that technicians have received optimal education that lives up to the industry standard.

This fall, The AED Foundation was named an SRE for the industry by the U.S. Department of Labor, an achievement that AEDF worked towards for two years. With this distinction, the Foundation is able to award apprenticeship programs the title IRAP, a designation that asserts the program’s excellence. Executive Vice President and COO of the Foundation, Jason Blake, states “The Foundation is proud to recognize Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co.’s program with the title of IRAP to help showcase the efforts they have put into their program. Brandeis is exemplary of what an IRAP program should be.”

Brandeis Machinery and Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co.’s apprenticeship program started in 2015, and with the dedication of the instructors and apprentices that make the program possible, it was able to become the first recognized apprenticeship program by the Foundation. Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co. and Power Equipment Co.’s Vice President of HR and Compliance, Charles Paradis stated, “It is an honor to be recognized as the first IRAP with the Foundation. It is a reflection of the hard work that has been put into the program. We know in our industry, finding qualified technicians can be a challenge. Our apprenticeship program allows us to build a quality, knowledgeable technician staff.” The company prides itself on its superior apprenticeship program that allows aspiring technicians to get the education they need to succeed as a technician.

The AED Foundation is anticipating the opportunity to award more IRAPs in the future. These programs will help the Foundation achieve its Vision 2025 goals by providing the well-deserved recognition to apprenticeship programs in the industry, thereby increasing opportunity for individuals to become distinguished heavy equipment technicians.