AED partners with Heroes Make America, enrolls members before leaving active duty

Marcia Doyle Headshot
Updated Nov 30, 2018
Screen grab of Heroes Make America video.Screen grab of Heroes Make America video.

The Associated Equipment Distributors has partnered with Heroes Make America, a U.S. Department of Defense Skillbridge program designed to help place military veterans into careers in the civilian sector, including the construction equipment industry.

As part of the partnership, AED members will have access to job candidate pools at HMA locations and job boards.

The HMA program is offered to service members in the last six months of military service. Unique to veterans programs, HMA enrolls members before they leave active duty, allowing them to continue to receive military pay and benefits during training.

During HMA training, service members can earn a Certified Production Technician designation along with industry credentials in such areas as safety, quality practices and measurement, processes and production and maintenance awareness. The certifications are administered by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council. They also receive an OSHA 10-hour certification, along with training in forklift operation, resume writing, personal finance and interviewing techniques.

The AED Foundation is partnering with the Manufacturing Institute to invest in the HMA program.