Across Canada, construction and agriculture equipment dealers face an annual shortfall of about 1,263 technicians, which costs the industry an estimated CA$803 million each year in lost shop and parts revenue according to a new report.
The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) partnered with the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation (CEDF) to release the 2026 Technician Shortage Research Report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of 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 in the next 10 years.
“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.”
According to the report, 78 per cent of dealers report they cannot keep pace with customer demand because of the shortage, while 62 per cent say it has hindered their growth.
A lack of awareness about equipment industry careers continues to be a major driver of the shortage. The report notes that 62 per cent of dealers identified limited awareness of technician careers as a root cause, while 70 per cent pointed to an education system that does not adequately prepare students for skilled trades careers outside the traditional college pathway.
“The only problem we have is schools letting us in there to talk about our industry,” said Brian Osterndorff, CEO of Roberts Equipment.
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