Carter Machinery bolsters collaboration with Virginia Tech Engineering on workforce development

This is just a kickoff event where we acknowledge the support from Carter and we celebrate that. We've invited students from Mining and Minerals Engineering, from Mechanical Engineering, from Computer Science, Computer Engineering, the Myers Lawson School of Construction, Engineering Education, just to make them aware of these interdisciplinary projects that are available. From a Carter Machinery standpoint, we were right up the street in Salem as far as our corporate headquarters, and we've already got some embedded relationships right there, constantly in contact with Dr. Westman. There's a huge need in the quarrying industry for people with expertise, not only in quarrying, but also in data and in automation. The partnership, the support that Carter is offering, will help us prepare those people to serve in the quarrying industry, and that will make the industry more fuel efficient, more productive and just overall benefit that industry quite a bit. The question is, what does it take to build the future of mining? With the rapid acceleration of the technology and the applications, both in the aggregate mining and as well as construction, opportunities in terms of data optimization, safely running quarries and sites, when you start thinking about the support mechanism and capability that needs to happen behind all of that, job descriptions still to be written right now. But the future is exciting. It's going to be providing a lot of opportunity for Virginia Tech students right now as they look into careers in the future.

impact 1:44 Carter Machinery bolsters collaboration with Virginia Tech Engineering on workforce development

By:

Dawson Bryant

11 May 2026 213

This kickoff event celebrated the growing collaboration between Carter Machinery and Virginia Tech, highlighting a shared commitment to shaping the future of mining and quarrying through innovation, education, and industry collaboration. Faculty, industry leaders, and students from mining and minerals engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and the Myers‑Lawson School of Construction came together to explore interdisciplinary projects and emerging career pathways. Speakers discussed the industry’s urgent need for talent in data, automation, optimization, and how this support helps prepare the next generation to build safer, more productive, and more fuel‑efficient operations. As technology rapidly transforms aggregate mining and construction, new roles are being created, and opportunities are expanding. This event represents how bridges between industry and academia are helping Virginia Tech students prepare for exciting, future‑focused careers.