AEM offers Chinese construction scholarships.

Press Release Summary:



Owner and producer of CONEXPO Asia construction exposition, AEM has announced establishment of scholarship program to provide Chinese students from low-income families with opportunity to study construction-related curriculum at university level. Selection criteria includes economic need, aptitude to succeed in construction-related program, and interest in industry as demonstrated by letter of recommendation from teacher or work supervisor.



Original Press Release:



AEM and CONEXPO Asia 2007 Offer Chinese Construction Scholarships



Program Will Advance Careers in Construction for Students from Low-Income Families

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the owner and producer of the CONEXPO Asia construction exposition, has announced the establishment of an AEM scholarship program to provide Chinese students from low-income families with the opportunity to study construction-related curriculum at the university level.

The AEM/CONEXPO Asia scholarship program underscores AEM's commitment to being a global trade association and one that advances the interests of the construction industry in China at all stages. As an industry-led association, AEM returns the net revenue from its trade shows to the industry in areas such as workforce development.

"China's workforce is critical to the success of our members and our industry, and just as AEM has focused on workforce issues in the U.S., it is also taking an active role to recruit the best of the best to the industry in China, "stated AEM Senior Vice President Al Cervero.

While many industry scholarships exist for top students, the AEM/CONEXPO Asia scholarship takes into consideration the economic need of the student. The scholarship is available to any student majoring in a construction-related field, and the selection criteria includes economic need, aptitude to succeed in a construction-related program and interest in the industry as demonstrated by a letter of recommendation from a teacher or work supervisor.

"These scholarships represent opportunities for students who would not otherwise have been able to attend university, and AEM is pleased to be able to support the Chinese construction industry in this manner," stated Cervero. "To our knowledge, we're the first international trade association to establish such a program in China."

The initial program will cover one to two years of tuition for between 20 to 40 students and include five universities. AEM has already signed an agreement with the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai and is close to signing agreements with the Nanjing University of Technology and Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Additional agreements are in the planning stages for Changsha Communications University and Guangzhou University.

AEM intends to grow the scholarship program to fund over 100 students per year by 2009 and to include training scholarships for operators and maintenance personnel

The scholarship program complements AEM's recent operator training initiative in China, which will train and certify equipment operators in the construction industry. The training program aims to teach best practices in safety and efficiency to help reduce accidents and increase productivity on the jobsite.

"We have committed to provide our techniques, philosophy and experience as the Chinese construction industry increases its focus on safe and efficient machinery operation and maintenance," noted Cervero. "Reducing the number of accidents on the work site is good for everyone - manufacturers, contractors and, of course and most importantly, the workers themselves. We feel that this program will positively affect a great number of lives and will be a significant contribution to these ongoing Chinese industry efforts."

AEM has long been active in workforce development, partnering with other groups and it operates the Construct My Future construction careers website. AEM is expanding these efforts with a new workforce development initiative under the association's strategic plan. The plan will eventually address all of AEM's industry sectors (agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility) and all world regions where the association is active. Also new this year is an AEM Construction Challenge competition to interest teens in the industry as a career choice. The challenge will culminate at the association's CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show in March 2008 in Las Vegas USA after six regional events across the United States.

CONEXPO Asia 2007 will be held December 4-7, 2007 at the Chinese Import and Export Fair (CIEF) Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou, China. CONEXPO Asia 2007 will provide convenient access to the latest and highest quality innovations in equipment technologies and capabilities offered by Chinese and non-Chinese manufacturers, including the global leaders. Additional knowledge-sharing opportunities will be provided through educational classroom sessions and working equipment demonstrations on enhancing job productivity, efficiencies and safety. AEM is show owner and organizer. Show organizer is the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME).

For more information, contact AEM: telephone +1-414-298-4141 or +1-800-867-6060 (toll free North America), fax +1-414-272-2672, e-mail info@conexpoasia.com, online www.conexpoasia.com.

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