From Ford’s CEO Jim Farley, to Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” fame, the manufacturing sector is actively trying to raise awareness of the growing shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. as the nation’s aging workforce is retiring and its birthrate continues to decline.

In Ford’s recent Pro Accelerate Summit, which drew business leaders from critical industries such as construction, utilities, freight and delivery, agriculture, transportation, oil and gas, energy, first responders and equipment manufacturing, Farley called for more programs to train young workers to meet the needs of what he terms the nation’s “essential economy.” The industries in the audience account for $12 trillion of gross domestic product annually, 95 million jobs and 3 million businesses.

In a recent broadcast conversation between Fox News commentator Brian Kilmeade and Mike Rowe, famous for his long-running advocacy for increased emphasis on classroom vocational training in the trades to meet demands for skilled labor, the pair touched on projected shortfalls in skilled workers in the face of industry’s current — and immediate — demands.

At this summer’s Energy AI Summit in Pittsburg, Rowe applauded the promise of new opportunities for skilled workers as the AI Data Center boom sweeps the nation, but wondered where the workers to fill those positions will be found, noting opportunity alone apparently is not enough to solve unemployment problems.

“Larry Fink, the CEO of Blackrock told an audience recently the industries in his $12 trillion portfolio need 500,000 electricians right now,” Rowe explained. “I’ve been working with the American submarine industrial base and officials there say they have an immediate need for 140,000 welders and electricians.” Rhetorically, he asked “How are these jobs to be filled if we currently have so many open positions and employers still bemoan the fact they can’t find skilled workers to fill their needs?”

Farley and Rowe both noted the nation’s post-World War II emphasis on college education and “white collar” aspirations have been part of the public’s collective neglect of the importance of professions in the trades.

Both would applaud recent private funding efforts found in the ag machinery business where there’s visible movement to elevate the status of skilled manufacturing jobs, and to bankroll educational efforts to help train Generation Z and younger to participate in the recent digital transition of U.S. manufacturing through artificial intelligence (AI), information processing, robotics, and automation.

Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar, Inc., recently announced $5 million of its 5-year $100 million pledge committed to training and “upskilling” workforce technological skills will be spent in Indiana where the equipment maker operates several factories.

“The future workforce will need skills for what comes next,” said Caterpillar Chief Human Resources Officer Christy Pambianchi. “We have our experts working on innovative training and resources to help skill and inform the next generation on how to navigate the worksite of tomorrow, and we’re excited to be starting here in Indiana to enable U.S. workers to enter high-quality jobs in the American manufacturing industry.”

Caterpillar plans to announce future workforce pledges in other states soon. The company partners with various colleges and technical schools in 11 U.S. states.

AGCO. The new $6 million AGCO Training Center at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., opened in late 2024 offering a service technician associate’s degree program aimed at training skilled technicians to service the company’s Fendt and Massey Ferguson ag equipment.

AGCO also is collaborating with South Georgia Technical College’s NexTECH program in Americus, Ga. The program integrates AGCO-specific content into the school’s existing diesel technology curriculum, providing students with hands-on training for the company’s machinery.

Claas. Germany’s Claas is investing in its Omaha-based production hub with a new service academy to train technicians from its U.S. dealership network.

Matthias Ristow, Claas president and managing director of business administration says the school, and its counterpart in Canada, will ensure company technicians can keep their skills up to date and provide them with the proper certifications to work on Claas equipment.

“Furthermore, the academy houses our apprenticeship program where we train the future assembly technicians in a rigorous 3-year program managed by the German Chamber of Commerce,” he explains. “Technicians receive a regular paycheck in an ‘earn while you learn’ program, and receive an associate’s degree from a community college we partner with and have a job from the program – debt free.”

Titan Machinery. Sarah Kenz, senior talent acquisition manager for Titan Machinery (the largest Case IH dealership group in North America) says the company starts early investing in the next generation of workforce talent.

“As early as the 9th grade, our Summer Camps and EDGE career awareness program introduces students to industry opportunities to spark early interest in equipment careers,” she says “After high school, we continue to support career growth through specialized training and development programs for diesel mechanics and sales professionals.

“By building awareness and creating clear career pathways, we’re strengthening the pipeline of skilled talent needed to serve our customers and sustain the industry for years to come.”

Ford’s Farley, isn’t just calling attention to the problem. In conjunction with the Pro Accelerate Summit, he announced the automaker will spend more than $5 million through 2026 in 15 Ford Future Builders Labs in Michigan and Tennessee to bring hands-on learning to K-12 students. The company also will partner with SkillsUSA (a national student organization concentrating on career and technical vocations) to expand advanced manufacturing and automotive programs to high school students.