Schaumburg, Ill. - The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) announced it has received National Program Standard approval for its Registered Apprenticeship Program from the U.S. Department of Labor, marking a significant milestone in the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen the equipment industry’s technician workforce.
The approval, granted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship in September 2026, establishes the AED Foundation’s apprenticeship program as a nationally recognized program designed to help equipment dealers develop highly skilled technicians through a combination of structured on-the-job training, mentorship and supplemental education.
National Program Standards provide a framework for Registered Apprenticeship programs that operate across multiple states or on a national basis. Programs must meet federal regulatory requirements and demonstrate that their occupational standards, structure and scope are appropriate for national implementation.
For the equipment industry, the AED Foundation’s national program provides dealers with an industry-focused pathway to develop technicians while providing apprentices with the training, education and hands-on experience needed to build successful careers.
“This approval is a major step forward for the AED Foundation and the equipment industry,” said Sean Fitzgerrel, vice president of the AED Foundation. “Equipment dealers need skilled technicians, and we need to continue developing new and effective pathways into these careers. Having a nationally approved Registered Apprenticeship Program gives dealers another valuable tool to recruit, train and develop the next generation of equipment technicians while providing apprentices with a clear path toward a rewarding career.”
The AED Foundation’s Registered Apprenticeship Program incorporates the key elements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship model, including:
- Industry-Led Training: Programs are developed and vetted to align training with industry standards and the skills required for high-demand occupations.
- Paid Employment: Apprentices are employed and earn wages that can increase as they develop their skills and productivity.
- Structured On-the-Job Learning and Mentorship: Apprentices receive hands-on training under the guidance of experienced industry professionals.
- Supplemental Education: Apprentices receive classroom or related technical instruction tailored to the training needs of employers and the occupation.
- Industry-Recognized Credentials: Apprentices who successfully complete the program earn a portable, nationally recognized credential.
The national approval comes as equipment dealers across the United States continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining qualified technicians. AEDF recently released the findings of its 2026 Technician Shortage Report which found agriculture and constructions dealers face a shortage of 10,000 technicians per year, costing them an estimated $7 billion annually. The AED Foundation has made workforce development a central focus of its mission, working with dealers, educational institutions and industry partners to promote equipment industry careers and strengthen the technician pipeline.
Through the Registered Apprenticeship Program, the AED Foundation will continue working to connect employers with structured workforce-development solutions while helping individuals gain the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the equipment industry.
