NAVIGATING LABOR SHORTAGES: ATTRACTING AND TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS
It's no secret that many companies and organizations within the construction industry don't have enough people on hand to get their jobs done and on time — especially during busy seasons. In fact, about 88% of contractors struggle to find skilled workers.
Contractors are now tasked with closing the world's $15 trillion infrastructure gap by 2040. To do so, they'll need to move materials smarter and complete jobs faster — which is no easy feat when many companies are already understaffed and behind on projects. For example, the Associated General Contractors of America and Arcoro reported in their 2024 survey analysis that some 54% of respondents said they had experienced project delays due to labor shortages, and 80% of responding firms reported experiencing at least one project that was canceled, scaled back, or postponed.
To help combat the growing labor shortages, John Deere continues to host heavy equipment operator training programs, partner with educational institutions, develop cutting-edge technology, and more so the industry can attract and train more workers to get more done.
Here are just a few ways John Deere has committed to workforce development.
Heavy equipment operator trainings
One of the best ways to learn or get better at a job is simply by doing it. That's why John Deere offers resources and hands-on training events for new and seasoned users alike. Led by John Deere product experts, these sessions provide focused training on specific John Deere equipment, allowing heavy equipment operators to navigate the sandbox or the field from the hot seat as they learn new skills and hone others.
In addition to these earth-moving equipment training sessions, John Deere also offers custom training sessions tailored to match your vision, your operators, and your business.
Top-notch training and education through college collaborations — and on the job
In their survey analysis, the Associated General Contractors of America and Arcoro reported that despite the labor shortages, job candidates are mostly out there — they just aren't qualified to carry out the work.
The good news is that recruiting, training, and educating the future workforce to take on heavy equipment operator jobs, technician roles, and more can start while those future workers are still in school. Through the John Deere TECH Program, for example, John Deere partners with schools across the United States to offer advanced technician training curriculum that includes a paid internship and helps lead to thousands of potential career opportunities in service, parts, and sales.
In search of a virtual heavy equipment operator school? John Deere also offers a host of other resources online for construction training to help prepare the next generation of people to fill heavy equipment operator jobs. Whether you need more information on something specific like the Automation Suite on John Deere Motor Graders, or a roundup of basic machine operational safety tips, we're ready to help with an extensive library of videos to provide you with what you need, whenever you need it.
Leading tech
We've all heard of self-driving cars, tractors, and other pieces of equipment, but did you know John Deere tractors have been self-steering for two decades? These cutting-edge machines established the foundation for John Deere's automated technology, creating limitless potential for the ag and construction industries alike. Whether your operators are greenhorns or 40-year veterans, machine automation helps them get the job done faster, better, and on to the next thing. Designed to maximize efficiency, these features reduce complex and repetitive tasks to the push of a button, easing operator fatigue or allowing users to operate machines without someone in the cab.
Current John Deere solutions like our Precision Construction tools offer a host of automated and flexible features like grade management, obstacle detection, and the ability to automate repetitive operator functions.
These functions and features aside, every piece of John Deere equipment is designed to be user-friendly for heavy equipment operators of nearly any background. With excellent visibility; comfortable, smooth, and intuitive controls; adjustable control patterns; well-integrated attachment functions, and more, Deere machines are designed to be easy to use so you can get hard work done.
Ready to learn more about adding automation tools or other features to your fleet? Contact your local John Deere dealer for details today.
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