Talent Pulse: Are we turning the tide on training?

Workforce pipeline questions have dogged several key industries for years now. Whether it’s been the silver tsunami, the lack of a coolness factor for younger workers or other factors—or a powerful combination of all of them—companies in manufacturing, construction and other sectors have consistently struggled to recruit and retain the talent they need. The boom in AI and data center work has added to those pressures as it seemingly commands every resource everywhere.

But maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning. Here are two notable stats:

• Revenue at the nation’s trade schools topped $19 billion, which was up more than 11% from the year before and well ahead of projections.
• 49% of more than 1,200 people aged 18 to 29 said recently they would pick trade school over college.

The tech giants driving the data center bonanza—and whose AI pushes are prompting many young people to more closely scrutinize hands-on work—have quickly realized that they need to be part of the solution to a problem they’re often exacerbating. In recent weeks, Facebook parent Meta and Google have committed a combined $165 million to expand the ranks of skilled tradespeople.

Other companies and groups also have announced initiatives with some scale to them. It’s enough to make us hopeful that we’re building enough collective momentum to start turning the tide on skilled workforce shortages. And it prompted us to collect the following collection of recent stories on the topic from around EndeavorB2B. And yes, one of them is about a coloring book.

From Contracting Business: Trade school growth accelerates faster than expected

From Pro Remodeler: Gen Z turns to trades careers

From Contractor: How the skilled trades need hype men and women

From Processing: New twists on training address the workforce gap

From Contractor: Work-based learning just could be the solution to contractors’ skilled labor shortages

From Ratchet + Wrench: The U.S. is launching a Workforce Pell Grant program—and it could help fund automotive training

From Roads & Bridges: Pennsylvania launches $12M grant program to grow heavy highway workforce

From Ratchet + Wrench: ASE Education Foundation launches $25M apprenticeship initiative to grow auto industry workforce

From EC&M: Wells Fargo pledges $1M toward skilled trade development in Pennsylvania

From Contracting Business: Recruiting for the trades starts with visibility

From Chemical Processing: Motor manufacturer releases coloring book to inspire future engineers