August 21, 2026 — The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) has donated $50,000 CAD to the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation, the association’s board of directors announced following its August board meeting. The contribution will fund technical school programs, student and technician scholarships, and industry research supporting the equipment dealer workforce across Canada.
The donation reflects NAEDA’s continued investment in building the skilled workforce that Canadian equipment dealerships depend on. Demand for qualified technicians continues to outpace supply, and the Foundation’s programs are designed to close that gap by strengthening the pipeline from technical training programs into dealership careers.
Funds will be directed to three priorities:
- Technical schools — supporting ag equipment technician programs at Canadian colleges and training institutions, including equipment, curriculum and instructional resources.
- Scholarships — awards for students and dealership employees pursuing careers as service technicians, parts technicians and equipment sales professionals.
- Research — studies on workforce trends, skills requirements and recruitment and retention practices in the equipment industry.
“Workforce is the number one issue our dealers raise with us, and this is where that concern turns into action,” said John Schmeiser, CEDF Executive Director. “The Foundation has a proven record of getting money into the hands of students and the technical schools who need the support. The CEDF board is focused on making meaningful commitments to that work, and $50,000 will go a long way in classrooms and shops across the country.”
“On behalf of NAEDA, I want to express our gratitude for the work the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation does every day,” said Brett Davis, CEO of NAEDA. “This donation is our way of saying thank you and making sure that work continues. Every dollar goes toward what our members tell us matters most—training the next generation of technicians and giving young people a clear path into a rewarding career in this industry. We are grateful to be in a position to support it.”
Since 1998, the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation has made a lasting investment in the future of Canada’s equipment industry. The Foundation has raised more than $3 million to strengthen technical training and, through its dealer scholarship matching program, has helped direct more than $1.3 million to dealership employees pursuing education and career development. To date, these investments have empowered more than 2,200 technicians and industry professionals with the skills, training, and opportunities they need to build successful careers and strengthen dealerships across Canada.
Additional information about Foundation scholarships and training programs is available at https://www.canadaequipfoundation.org.
