Volvo’s development in North America

Volvo Construction Equipment is continuing its support for the construction industry and helping to address the skills gap. Over the summer, Volvo CE donated an excavator to support operator training programs at

Volvo Construction Equipment is continuing its support for the construction industry and helping to address the skills gap. Over the summer, Volvo CE donated an excavator to support operator training programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology, and participated in SkillsUSA and Skills Compétences Canada’s annual competitions.

“In the U.S., an estimated 600,000 manufacturing jobs went unfilled in 2011 and could grow to over two million in ten years, according to a report from the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte”, said Chuck Wood, vice president, Human Resource Management and Administration, Sales Region Americas, Volvo CE. “That’s a vast skills gap we could face, which is why it’s important for us, as an industry leader, to help support the future of our industry”.

Teaming up with its dealer Highway Equipment & Supply, Volvo CE donated equipment, including an EC220D excavator, to the operator training program at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Both companies have spent more than a decade supporting Pennsylvania College of Technology with equipment donations and other training resources. Ryan Flood, vice president with Highway Equipment, also serves on the program’s advisory council. Located in Williamsport, Penn., the college is affiliated with the Pennsylvania State University and has more than 5,000 students.

“The coursework at Penn College is more involved. We are learning the basics behind how to approach a job, as well as GPS technology and grading”, said Makenzie Witmer, a student of the program.

Demand is high for students who completes the college’s degree in heavy construction equipment technology with an operator emphasis. “The placement rate of our operator program is around 96%. The demand is large, as a lot of our older generation of operators is retiring,” said Ryan Peck, operator training program instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology.