Combating Labor Shortages: With JLG® Training

With many industries still grappling with the impact of ongoing labor shortages, JLG is proactively addressing the growing demand for skilled craft professionals in the trades by teaching workers how to operate and care for mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers.

We’re not just creating the training materials; we’re creating opportunities for experienced tradespersons and those new to the trades to go through training and become qualified to the current industry standards.

Partnering to Expand Access to Training

Through strategic partnerships with various organizations and associations, JLG aims to help tradespeople upskill their work experience through high-quality MEWP and telehandler training opportunities, making its programs accessible across various sectors.

Collaborations with accredited training schools and regional training partners are at the forefront of these initiatives. These partnerships allow JLG to leverage local expertise while providing access to cutting-edge equipment and comprehensive training materials. By working with established training centers, JLG ensures that tradespeople receive high-quality, qualified instruction that meets local, regional, and international standards.

Industry Partnerships

Industry associations play a pivotal role in JLG's partnership strategy. Collaboration with organizations like the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Association of General Contractors (AGC), Association of the Wall & Ceiling Industry (AWCI), Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) and trade unions is not just about mutual support. It is about working together to ensure everyone is in sync with the latest industry guidelines and best practices, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Employer Partnerships

JLG's partnerships with large corporations and sector-specific organizations are not just about collaboration. They are about providing comprehensive training solutions that cater to unique operational requirements and safety protocols. From construction to maintenance, JLG's customized programs are designed to tackle their workers' specific challenges in different fields, ensuring craft professionals are fully prepared for their roles.

Educational and Vocational Partnerships

Education is another key focus area for JLG's partnership efforts. By teaming up with technical schools, apprenticeships, trade programs and community colleges, JLG is helping to shape the future workforce. These partnerships often involve integrating JLG's MEWP and telehandler training into the existing curriculum, providing students with valuable hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment. JLG also partners with correctional facilities, prisons and second-chance employers, offering MEWP and telehandler training courses as part of these organizations' rehabilitation programs.

Equipment Partnerships

JLG's collaboration with equipment rental companies represents another approach to expanding training opportunities. Many rental providers that offer JLG MEWPs and telehandlers also provide training services, ensuring that craft professionals are well-versed in the safe and efficient use of the equipment they rent. These partners significantly improve the local accessibility of MEWP and telehandler training programs, bringing JLG's expertise to tradespeople across different geographical locations. The partnerships also allow for the pooling of resources and knowledge, elevating these workers’ access to comprehensive and effective training programs.

Training to Address Industry Needs

In the U.S., the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A92 standards are the number one resource for safety guidance and best practices for the operation and care of MEWPs (ANSI/ITSDF B56.6-2021 for telehandlers). These standards are routinely reviewed and updated (the most recent going into effect in June 2020), so craft professionals must know the most current requirements.

As the industry leader, we feel it’s our obligation to continue to talk about and educate trade industries on the impact of these standards, including how workers can demonstrate proficiency while employers and organizations have a system in place to document certification and routine proficiency to meet compliance requirements. By fostering these collaborative relationships in response to the growing demand for skilled craft professionals, JLG's partnership-driven approach to providing MEWP and telehandler training is helping to create a more competent and safety-conscious workforce in the trades.

In addition to its training partnerships, JLG also offers MEWP and telehandler training courses through JLG University to develop and enhance craft professionals’ skills. From online supervisor training to MEWP and telehandler operator and equipment service training, JLG’s comprehensive training offering fits trade laborers’ needs.

Learn more about JLG training solutions at JLG University.