Registration Opens for AEM’s 2011 Construction Challenge

It’s estimated that 1 million new construction workers will be needed as soon as 2012 and there will be 2.4 million skilled production jobs — machinists, machine assemblers, operators and technicians — available, according to the Department of Labor. The problem is that older, baby boomer workers will, in their view hopefully, be retiring and those coming of age in Generation Y have career expectations and goals that do not involve the construction industry. To increase interest among the plugged-in Gen. Y’ers,

High school students from across the United States and Canada have the unique opportunity to learn about interesting careers in the construction industry, meet potential employers, and gain new skills — all while having fun — by participating in the 2011 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. The Construction Challenge is different than other student competitions because it is connected to an industry actively looking for talented and motivated individuals for a wide range of careers that directly contribute to a high quality of life for all.

The construction industry still faces a severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future needs and is expected to create more than 1 million new jobs by 2012. Students who participate in the nationwide competition will learn about rewarding, interesting and lucrative careers in the industry, from engineering, project management, and service technicians, to sales, marketing, systems and related jobs.

Designed to inspire a skilled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs, the Construction Challenge is a joint effort by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), its presenting sponsor Volvo Construction Equipment, and Destination ImagiNation (DI) and its creativity programs. The Construction Challenge offers a chance for students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about the relationship between construction, infrastructure and quality of life and the industry’s need for skilled employees to tackle infrastructure problems of crumbling bridges, overcrowded roadways and aging water and wastewater systems.

Up to 50 teams of students will participate in these regional qualifying rallies to secure their spot in the finals of the 2011 Construction Challenge held in March in Las Vegas during the gigantic CONEXPO/CON-AGG trade exposition. AEM is show producer and a show owner.

Teams of five to seven students can register with their adult team manager via www.constructionchallenge.org and find full details. The eight Regional Rallies will be held on January 15, 2011 in these cities:

Atlanta (Georgia)
Chicago (Illinois)
Cincinnati (Ohio)
Enid (Oklahoma)
Dallas (Texas)
Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
Seattle (Washington)
Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

For more information on the Challenge, contact David Bannister at dbannister@aem.org or 414-274-0657.