September 18, 2026
Kansas, MO. – The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) partnered with the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation (CEDF) to release the 2026 Technician Shortage Report, providing a comprehensive look at the workforce challenges facing Canada’s agriculture and construction equipment industry.
The report estimates that Canada will need to fill 26,500 equipment technician positions over the next decade, leaving dealers struggling to meet customer demand and limiting business growth. According to the research, 78% of dealers report they cannot keep pace with customer demand because of the shortage, while 62% say it has hindered their growth.
The research also found dealers face an annual shortfall of approximately 1,263 technicians, costing the industry an estimated CA$803 million each year in lost shop and parts revenue.
A lack of awareness about equipment industry careers continues to be a major driver of the shortage. Sixty-two percent of dealers identified limited awareness of technician careers as a root cause, while 70% pointed to an education system that does not adequately prepare students for skilled trades careers outside the traditional college pathway.
Brian Osterndorff, CEO of Roberts Equipment, agrees education is a major roadblock saying, “the only problem we have is schools letting us in there to talk about our industry,” For instance, he believes students would be more interested if they knew how tech-intensive the ag industry is. “Our advancements in technology are far more than the automotive industry. We’ve had self-driving before cars had it. That word is not getting out.”
AEDF and CEDF are committed to building awareness of the rewarding career paths and opportunities available within the equipment industry. Through education, grants and workforce events, their programs connect students directly with industry professionals, giving them an opportunity to learn about the wide range of careers available and envision a future in the industry. In many cases, those connections have inspired students to pursue careers as equipment technicians.
“For more than a decade, the AED Foundation has made workforce development its highest priority because the future of our industry depends on it,” said Ron Barlet, chairman of the AED Foundation and president of Bejac Corp. “This report confirms the technician shortage remains one of our greatest challenges, but it also provides a roadmap for how dealers, manufacturers, educators and industry partners can work together to build a stronger workforce across North America. The AED Foundation has made great progress in helping dealers navigate the issue and will continue to support them in this journey.”
In addition to documenting the workforce shortage, the report identifies solutions dealers believe will have the greatest impact. Expanding work-based learning opportunities and increasing subsidies or tax credits for employers who train technicians are ranked as the industry’s top priorities.
Dealers are also investing in recruitment and retention. Seventy-two percent plan to increase technician pay this year. Even so, 25% of dealers reported technician positions remaining vacant for more than 150 days.
“The CEDF sees this report as confirmation that the industry needs to strengthen the critical pipeline from schools to dealers,” said John Schmeiser, executive director of the CED Foundation. “The report provides a clear vision of how to move forward, not as individual organizations, but as an industry united in this effort throughout North America.”
Click here to view the full report.
