7/13/2010 News Releases
Support of student competition emphasizes commitment to workforce development
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announces that Ditch Witch (The Charles Machine Works) has signed on as a major sponsor of the 2011 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. As part of its commitment to engage young people in construction careers, Ditch Witch will sponsor one of the two "finals" Challenges of the student competition taking place at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011.
The top 50 student teams chosen from Regional Rallies held across the United States and in Canada in early 2011 will compete in the "Road Rumble sponsored by Ditch Witch" in front of the estimated 100,000-plus audience at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition, to be held March 2011 in Las Vegas USA. Road Rumble sponsored by Ditch Witch will focus on the principle that to successfully construct a new building, you need efficient infrastructure supply routes. This Challenge will feature teams competing head-to-head as they build a piece of equipment that can repair and traverse obstacles. After they overcome these obstacles and deliver their building supplies, the race is on to construct a new building.
AEM initiated the Construction Challenge as an opportunity for students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about rewarding construction careers and the vital role the industry plays in creating and maintaining a high quality of life around the world.
"The 2011 Construction Challenge is shaping up to be the best yet, and we are looking forward to its return to CONEXPO-CON/AGG. There is not a better place for these students to learn about the scope and importance of construction," stated Dennis Slater, AEM president. "Ditch Witch's sponsorship helps ensure that the Challenge program will continue to provide thousands more young people with fun, educational experiences that introduce them to construction career opportunities."
Ditch Witch CEO Tiffany Sewell-Howard states, "The Construction Challenge provides a setting for young people to develop the kind of creative problem-solving Ditch Witch needs to innovate new solutions to everyday challenges in the construction industry. We are pleased to help make this experience possible."
Ditch Witch has been a team sponsor since the inaugural AEM Construction Challenge competition was held in 2008, and the teams they have sponsored captured first place overall for 2008 and second place overall for 2009.
Despite recent job losses, the construction sector still faces a severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future needs, including massive infrastructure repair and maintenance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the construction industry needs to attract 240,000 workers each year to replace those leaving the industry and to allow for growth. By 2020 manufacturing overall faces a skilled worker shortage of 13-15 million with no growth in the 18-26-year-old age group.
Since its inception, the AEM Construction Challenge has directly engaged over 10,000 middle and high school students across North America, and the program and its messages have made an impression on more than 18 million students on a global level. Nearly 70 percent of Challenge participants said they are now considering a construction career.
For the Challenge, AEM partners with the global creativity organization Destination ImagiNation, known for programs that foster creative problem solving through hands-on teamwork. A construction-themed program is an integral part of DI's core program, culminating in a yearly Global Finals competition. The triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition hosts a special edition of the AEM Construction Challenge in show years, to provide students with even more exposure to the construction industry. AEM is show producer and a show owner.
To get involved in the AEM Construction Challenge, including sponsorship opportunities, contact AEM's David Bannister at
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or 414-274-0657.
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 800 companies and 200-plus product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the capitals of Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Beijing and a European presence in Brussels.
Headquartered in Perry, Oklahoma., the Ditch Witch organization specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality underground construction equipment, including trenchers, vibratory plows, pneumatic piercing tools, backhoes, electronic guidance and locating tools, horizontal directional drilling systems, drill pipe, downhole tools, vacuum excavation systems, pipe-bursting systems, excavator-tool carriers, compact utility loaders, and the Zahn® family of power utility equipment.
April 13, 2010-Cherry Hill, New Jersey-Destination ImagiNation is kicking off the celebration of its sponsors and partners by thanking the Association of Equipment Manufacture (AEM) and Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) for their continued support of the Construction Challenge.
AEM initiated the Construction Challenge in 2007 as a response to the severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future construction needs. The competition blends the creative problem solving methodology of Destination ImagiNation with subject matter from AEM to create a program that engages youth in a fun learning experience and exposes them to new careers in the construction industry. After the first year, nearly 70% of Construction Challenge participants said they are now considering a career in construction.
"The prosperity of our industry very much depends on the availability of a qualified workforce. We at Volvo are committed to supporting efforts that develop the workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to working with AEM and Destination ImagiNation on promoting the value of construction and the construction industry in communities across North America through the Construction Challenge," said Göran Lindgren, president of Volvo Construction Equipment North America.
Since its inception, the Construction Challenge has directly engaged over 3,000 middle and high school students across North America, and the program and its messages have made a global impression on more than 18 million students. In addition, AEM sponsors the Destination ImagiNation Technical and Mechanical Challenge so participants can continue to experience construction and engineering skills outside of the Construction Challenge.
“The continued growth of the Construction Challenge, the sponsorship of our technical Challenge and the addition of Volvo Construction Equipment is a clear indication that our goal of helping AEM increase interest in construction industry careers is working,” said Rusty McCarty, COO and Creative Director of Destination ImagiNation. “Volvo will be exhibiting for the first time at the 2010 Global Finals, with a display that will surely be talked about for a long time. We’re extremely anxious to see what they do!”
Video footage and photos of the Volvo exhibit from the 2010 Global Finals will be added to the event Web site from May 26-29, 2010. Bookmark www.GlobalFinals.org today, and contact Matthew Arts, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Destination ImagiNation, to schedule interviews with AEM and Volvo at the 2010 Global Finals.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides two educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an educational program in which student teams solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. In our Destination ImagiNation 4-Life program, we design and implement cause-based programming for client organizations to reach target audiences in a powerful way. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers. Visit http://www.IDODI.org for more information.
January 27, 2010-Cherry Hill, NJ-Destination ImagiNation, Inc. (DI) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) are pleased to announce Volvo Construction Equipment as the presenting sponsor of AEM’s annual Construction Challenge youth competition.
AEM initiated the Construction Challenge in 2007 as a response to the severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future construction needs. The competition blends the creative problem solving methodology of Destination ImagiNation with subject matter from AEM to create a program that engages youth in a fun learning experience and exposes them to new careers in the construction industry.
“We have already seen the benefits of offering the Construction Challenge to youth, and our partnership with Destination ImagiNation has been a tremendous success,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president. “As the exclusive presenting sponsor of this competition, we applaud Volvo’s initiative and forward-thinking leadership in helping build the construction workforce of the future.”
Since its inception, the Construction Challenge has directly engaged over 3,000 middle and high school students across North America, and the program and its messages have made a global impression on more than 18 million students. Nearly 70% of Construction Challenge participants said they are now considering a career in construction. The 2010 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment occurs across the states at regional and state Destination ImagiNation Tournaments beginning in March, with qualifying teams advancing to DI’s 2010 Global Finals, where the best and brightest teams compete.
“The continued growth of the Construction Challenge and the addition of Volvo Construction Equipment is a clear indication that our goal of helping AEM increase interest in construction industry careers is working,” said Rusty McCarty, COO and Creative Director of Destination ImagiNation. “I’m excited to see new energy and growth from this partnership.”
AEM and Destination ImagiNation have received national recognition from association and trade show groups for the Construction Challenge’s innovative approach to workforce development. The accolades focus on the competition’s creativity, utility and value, as well as its ability to be an effective recruitment program.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is a major international company developing, manufacturing, and marketing equipment for the construction and related industries. Its products, leaders in many world markets, include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, soil and asphalt compactors, pavers, milling machines, compact wheel loaders and excavators, and skid steer and backhoe loaders. Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group. Visit Volvo Construction Equipment for more information.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides two educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. In our Destination ImagiNation 4-Life program, we design and implement cause-based programming for client organizations to reach target audiences in a powerful way. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers. Visit http://www.IDODI.org for more information.
Association of Equipment Manufacturers and 
Destination ImagiNation