Workforce challenges for the equipment industry — and potential solutions — are the subject of a report the National Immigration Forum and the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) released during its 2025 Summit held in Orlando, Fla.
Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) joined AED to discuss important issues around comprehensive immigration reform. Among the findings: Because there aren't enough qualified American technicians, the equipment industry can anticipate $2.2 billion in annual losses between 2023 and 2025. The industry increasingly will need foreign-born techs to augment its workforce.
The report also incorporates a survey of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) members in which 71 percent say the shortage of technicians is causing delayed production or servicing of equipment. Researchers examine the challenges of current visa options for employers and offer policy solutions that have received bipartisan support in the past.
"The skilled worker shortage is one of the most pressing challenges facing the equipment industry today," said Brian P. McGuire, president of the AEDF. "While we are committed to training and upskilling North American workers, the reality is that we also need to tap into the talent and expertise of foreignborn workers. Developing pathways for these individuals to contribute is critical to ensuring our industry can meet demand, drive innovation, and support economic growth."
"We know the equipment industry wants to hire U.S. talent and is committed to apprenticeship programs, but that won't be enough. It needs access to more foreign-born talent as well," said Emily Foster, vice president and chief of Public Affairs at the National Immigration Forum. "We need new labor mobility pathways for the industry to thrive moving forward."
The full report, "Utilizing Foreign Born Talent to Address the Workforce Shortage," is available on the Forum and Foundation websites.
