The AED Foundation (AEDF) announced that Warrick Pathways and Career Center in Booneville, Ind., has become the 115th Recognized High School Program under its national workforce development initiative.

This significant achievement marks a new milestone in the foundation's ongoing Vision campaign, launched in 2020 to address the skilled technician shortage facing the equipment industry.

"The future of our industry — and our country — depends on today's youth," said Bob Brucken, CEO of Diamond Equipment Inc. and AED member. "With AI rapidly evolving, we need bright, driven students to help build our industrial and commercial landscape — and that path doesn't always require a college degree. Warrick Pathways and centers like it are shaping the future, and Diamond Equipment is proud to support their mission. Skilled trades offer rewarding careers, and we rely on that talent to drive our success. We encourage more schools to partner with the AED Foundation to grow the industry."

The AED Foundation connects schools, educators and the equipment industry to strengthen the pipeline of future talent. Its success depends on the active support and participation of AED members. The Warrick Pathways and Career Center benefited from many contributors — but especially from the strong involvement of AED member Diamond Equipment, Inc.

In the fall of 2024, Diamond Equipment hosted students from Warrick Pathways and Career Center's Civil Construction program at its facility, where they had the opportunity to operate a Case CX170E hydraulic excavator equipped with a Hemisphere 3D GPS machine guidance system. Very few of the students had ever been on a machine of that size — much less operated one. They were introduced to the technology used today to help operators dig efficiently and safely.

"The AED Foundation's ability to connect industry with schools is one of the most powerful tools we have to solve the technician shortage," said Brian P. McGuire, president of the AED Foundation. "Our 115th recognized high school isn't just another number — it represents a real, local partnership that prepares students for in-demand careers and strengthens the workforce pipeline for our industry."

Since Vision's inception, the AED Foundation has:

• delivered more than 5,600 technicians through accredited programs;

• certified nearly 5,000 more through industry-aligned testing;

• raised more than $8 million;

• expanded from 5 to 115 recognized high school programs — a more than 20-fold increase in less than five years; and

• added 52 new accredited post-secondary programs to the network Beyond education.

Vision is building a comprehensive support network that includes:

• nearly $10 million in public funding secured to expand Registered Apprenticeships;

• more than $500,000 returned to industry partners through grants;

• more than $200,000 invested in programs introducing youth to equipment industry careers; and

• innovative research such as the joint National Immigration Forum report exploring foreign-born talent solutions.

Since Vision, the AED Foundation has hosted over 75 workforce development events, with 60 more planned for 2025.

For more information, visit www.aedfoundation.org.