Huan Qiu Shi Bao·2025-11-19 22:44Core Insights - The U.S. is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the manufacturing sector, with over 5000 mechanic positions unfilled at Ford despite salaries reaching $120,000 annually [1] - The lack of qualified technicians is a reflection of a broader crisis in U.S. manufacturing, with over 400,000 job vacancies reported despite a national unemployment rate of 4.3% [1] - The current workforce is not adequately prepared for the demands of modern manufacturing, which requires both physical and digital skills [2] Group 1: Labor Shortage - Ford's CEO highlighted the difficulty in finding skilled labor, indicating that training a qualified technician takes about five years, while the vocational education system is not producing enough talent [1] - A survey of 200 U.S. manufacturing companies revealed that over half consider recruiting and retaining employees their biggest challenge [1][2] Group 2: Skills Gap - The manufacturing sector is lacking composite skill talent that meets 21st-century demands, with a significant gap in digital skills [2] - The curriculum in vocational schools is not keeping pace with technological advancements in areas such as robotics and electric vehicle batteries [2] Group 3: Economic Environment - By 2025, the manufacturing sector is expected to face a challenging economic environment, with the Purchasing Managers' Index remaining below 50 for most of the year [2] - A Deloitte survey indicated that over one-third of manufacturing executives view the lack of talent with smart manufacturing and operational skills as their biggest operational challenge [2] Group 4: Immigration and Labor Market - The tightening of immigration policies may further exacerbate the labor supply issue, as nearly one-fourth of the manufacturing workforce is comprised of immigrant workers [2] - A survey by the American Machine Tool Association revealed that 31% of manufacturers believe that the shortage of skilled workers is the biggest barrier to bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. [3]