Reasons Behind the Skilled Labor Shortage Aging Workforce: Many skilled technicians and dealership staff are reaching retirement age, creating a significant gap in experienced labor. Educational Emphasis: There has been a shift away from vocational training in favor of academic pursuits, resulting in fewer young people entering trade professions like equipment technicians. Economic Cycles: The construction equipment industry experiences cyclicality, which affects workforce stability. During economic downturns, skilled workers may leave the industry or retire early, and when the economy rebounds, there is often a struggle to attract new talent. Perception and Recruitment: There is a persistent perception that technicians… Read More »
A groundbreaking partnership between the John Deere Foundation, the University of Iowa (UI), and the Davenport Community School District (DCSD) will soon increase access to higher education for Iowa high school students. The John Deere Foundation will give $6.6 million over six years to create the John Deere Scholars Program, a program based on financial need that will help Davenport Community High School students get ready for college at Iowa. “We believe education is the foundation for success,” said Mara Downing, president of the John Deere Foundation. “By investing in our community, John Deere is also investing in opportunities for… Read More »
JERRY L. PIGSLEY | Woods Aitken LLP A federal court in Pennsylvania on January 23, 2024, gave INEDA members guidance in a case concerning claims brought by an employee who worked remotely for almost two years against her employer who determined she could not perform all of the essential functions of her job from home. She contended that her employer’s refusal to grant her request for a permanent work from home accommodation was discriminatory under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Galette v. Avenue 365 Lending Services LLC, U.S. Dist. Ct. E.D.Pa. Jan. 23, 2024). When she began working for the… Read More »
Social media is an effective tool to market your dealership to customers, but did you know it can also serve as an avenue to recruit new employees? Social media platforms can be used by your dealership to post vacant positions, connect with job seekers, and share content that makes your company appealing to potential candidates. Benefits of Using Social Media It’s widely used—as of January 2023, 59.9 percent of the world’s population uses social media. Your dealership can use social media to reach a wider audience, including those who are not actively job searching that you would otherwise only find… Read More »
On May 24 and 25, the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) hosted its Workforce Development Summit: Innovative Solutions for Hiring and Retention in Grand Island, NE, and Ankeny, IA, respectively. These summits focused on collaboration and gave attendees the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas, as well as develop action plans to take home to their dealerships. We also heard directly from a panel of students about what they are looking for in a future employer. The level of engagement and honesty from members was unprecedented, as they were able to see each other as experts and trust one… Read More »
The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) is pleased to share that it has awarded $88,500 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year to 66 students in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming pursuing careers in Iowa and Nebraska equipment dealerships. “Diesel technology has always been at the forefront of my life,” said Kristopher Hadeen, a scholarship recipient from Haxtun High School in Holyoke, Colorado. Hadeen plans to enroll in the John Deere Tech program at Southeast Community College (SCC) in Milford, Nebraska and pursue a service technician career at 21st Century Equipment. Through the INEDA Andrew Goodman Scholarship, Hadeen received $1,500… Read More »
