Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/139700
final word | by Tom Jackson TJackson@randallreilly.com C "Think Big" motivates German youth to enter the trades ontractors and equipment dealers struggling to find a solution to the shortage of trained technicians in the United States need look no further than Germany for an example of how to do it right. In April the German Engineering Federation, VDMA, bussed in more than 10,000 teens to participate in Bauma 2013 and a program they called "Think Big." (Bauma is the big construction equipment show held every three years in Munich, Germany.) There, the teens got an up close look at the kind of careers they might undertake if they liked what they saw. Bauma officials dedicated an entire exhibition hall to Think Big. Here the teens could play with simulators, computer animations, engine diagnostic tools and video games designed to show them what it's like to work with today's high-tech construction equipment. In addition to the hands-on stations, static displays of heavy equipment filled one-side of the hall, and employees from Caterpillar, Volvo, and other OEMs gave presentations about their machines and the job prospects for future technicians. While at Bauma I spoke with AnnMarei Zwickirsch and Uta Kiefer who work for the VDMA and helped organize the Think Big event. Their typical attendee was 15 years old, Zwickirsch said. There were also a handful of older students who were already in equipment-related vocational programs walking the younger kids through the interactive exhibits and answering questions about life in their respective vocational career tracks. The VDMA's main goal in putting together the Think Big program was to has. Our many associations do good change perceptions. "The image some work, but separately, on the national people have of this work is that it is scene, they are small fish, all but invisdirty, loud and ugly – all negative," ible in national politics. said Kiefer. "We wanted to change that. Second, this umbrella group would The scope of the job has changed, but need to fund and launch a traveling exnot many people know it." hibit of some kind that could generate Would a program like Think Big the kind of fun and appeal that Think work in the United States? Yes, but the Big created for German kids at Bauma. details, execution and support would And finally the United States as a soneed to change to fit our environment. ciety needs to, as Ms. Zwickirsch said, The VDMA is a big organization serv"think more about these things." That ing small country. Here we have many means talking to educators, politicians small associations trying to serve the and other leaders in society. needs of a big country. There is a terrible mis-match beAnother critical difference: The tween what our schools produce and German public has a more positive the skills society needs. The end result opinion of the trades than most Ameri- is a skills shortage and 3.5 million cans. Half of all German high school unemployed. This creates a drag on students are routed into vocational the economy and is wasting the talents education programs, starting at age and energy of a whole generation of 16. Technical proficiency is a matter of young people. This needs to change, national pride and economic strength. and the construction industry can lead In the United States, we put most the way. EW of our emphasis on college. Our vocational and technical schools are starved for funding. This leaves us with a dire shortage of skilled tradespeople and a surplus of over-educated young people working in low-wage, low-skill jobs. How do we turn this around? A first step would be for the construction and manufacturing associations to form an umbrella group with More fun than a video game. Teens at Think Big were the kind of clout VDMA encouraged to try their hand and equipment simulators. 74 July 2013 | EquipmentWorld.com EW0713_Final Word.indd 74 6/24/13 10:55 AM