He said he was struck by the sustained investment and societal respect for skilled labor roles in countries like China and Japan, where middle-class jobs in the trades are transformative and widely respected. He reported witnessing robust apprenticeship programs and cohesive government strategies that ensure these sectors remain vital, productive, and attractive to new generations. In stark contrast, Farley lamented that the U.S. has undervalued its essential workforce—builders, movers, and fixers—allowing ...