January 27, 2010-Cherry Hill, NJ-Destination ImagiNation, Inc. (DI) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) are pleased to announce Volvo Construction Equipment as the presenting sponsor of AEM’s annual Construction Challenge youth competition.
AEM initiated the Construction Challenge in 2007 as a response to the severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future construction needs. The competition blends the creative problem solving methodology of Destination ImagiNation with subject matter from AEM to create a program that engages youth in a fun learning experience and exposes them to new careers in the construction industry.
“We have already seen the benefits of offering the Construction Challenge to youth, and our partnership with Destination ImagiNation has been a tremendous success,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president. “As the exclusive presenting sponsor of this competition, we applaud Volvo’s initiative and forward-thinking leadership in helping build the construction workforce of the future.”
Since its inception, the Construction Challenge has directly engaged over 3,000 middle and high school students across North America, and the program and its messages have made a global impression on more than 18 million students. Nearly 70% of Construction Challenge participants said they are now considering a career in construction. The 2010 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment occurs across the states at regional and state Destination ImagiNation Tournaments beginning in March, with qualifying teams advancing to DI’s 2010 Global Finals, where the best and brightest teams compete.
“The continued growth of the Construction Challenge and the addition of Volvo Construction Equipment is a clear indication that our goal of helping AEM increase interest in construction industry careers is working,” said Rusty McCarty, COO and Creative Director of Destination ImagiNation. “I’m excited to see new energy and growth from this partnership.”
AEM and Destination ImagiNation have received national recognition from association and trade show groups for the Construction Challenge’s innovative approach to workforce development. The accolades focus on the competition’s creativity, utility and value, as well as its ability to be an effective recruitment program.
About Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is a major international company developing, manufacturing, and marketing equipment for the construction and related industries. Its products, leaders in many world markets, include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, soil and asphalt compactors, pavers, milling machines, compact wheel loaders and excavators, and skid steer and backhoe loaders. Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group.
About Destination ImagiNation, Inc.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides two educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. In our Destination ImagiNation 4-Life program, we design and implement cause-based programming for client organizations to reach target audiences in a powerful way. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers. Visit http://www.IDODI.org for more information.
