Reaffirming the untapped potential of the skilled trades

Why do we care about the skilled worker shortage? According to a report by the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. manufacturing alone — excluding the construction trades — employs more than 12 million people in jobs with an average annual compensation of $85,000. Yet a labor shortage persists!

Throughout Ohio, thousands of manufacturing jobs remain open, but employers simply can not find enough talent to fill them. None of these jobs required a college degree, and for workers looking to continue their education, many came with opportunities for tuition reimbursement and on-the-job training. Yet very few people know about career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, or how to acquire the skills employers were looking for.

Working to connect untapped talent with skilled roles, we believe greatly in the potential of skilled trades. Quoting from a recent Wall Street Journal article: “the future of American prosperity depends not only on lawyers and executives but also on machinists, welders and all skilled tradespeople who are the backbone of our economy. But we must reshape the narrative around skilled trades and foster a cultural appreciation for these essential careers.”

Government initiatives such as President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, which included $300 billion in manufacturing expenditures must focus on sectors like advanced manufacturing and construction. If America is to achieve a “manufacturing renaissance”, we need to work together to support the under-skilled U.S. workforce while addressing the lack of awareness about the benefits of careers in advanced industry.

These are amazing jobs that create the potential for millions of Americans to achieve a middle class dream that has not been a reality for decades.