People are working all throughout the ship on outside, inside, electrical pipes are being ran, people are welding, cranes are putting down huge, huge pieces. At this site in Southern Philadelphia, $5 billion is being invested by South Korean shipping conglomerate Hanwha. It hopes to turn this decades old shipyard into a state of the art facility, and help the U.S. become a major shipbuilder again.China dominates the global commercial shipbuilding industry, accounting for 53% of global market share, followed ...

Core Insights - The U.S. is facing a significant workforce crisis in skilled trades, which is not receiving adequate attention compared to layoffs in white-collar jobs [1][2] - Ford CEO Jim Farley emphasizes the urgent need for skilled labor, highlighting over 1 million unfilled jobs in essential sectors such as emergency services, trucking, plumbing, and factory work [2] - Farley warns that the lack of skilled trades poses a national security risk, as the country’s ability to respond in crises relies on these workers [2] Workforce Challenges - There are currently over 1 million job vacancies in critical sectors, with Ford alone having 5,000 openings for skilled positions that offer salaries around $120,000 per year [2] - The shortage of skilled labor is not due to inadequate pay but rather a lack of training and educational infrastructure for trades [3] Educational and Structural Issues - Farley criticizes the absence of trade schools and investment in educating the next generation of blue-collar workers, which is essential for rebuilding the workforce [3] - The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed flaws in the wage system, prompting Ford to eliminate its two-tier wage structure to provide workers with better financial stability [3] Company Initiatives - Ford has taken steps to support its workforce by ratifying union agreements and ensuring equal pay for all workers, reflecting a commitment to creating sustainable careers [3]

RT Sarah Wu (@sarah_wu_)Bosses in China complain they can't hire enough skilled labour even as many grads can't find jobs. In @TheEconomist, I look at the party's vocational ed push to power its industrial ambitions, incl a trend of uni grads going to college. Snaps from Hangzhou https://t.co/lMRWPyDFNw https://t.co/SsiK6xxoIW ...

Core Insights - The U.S. job market has a significant number of high-paying, unfilled positions, particularly in skilled trades, despite broader economic concerns about wage growth and layoffs in big tech [5][6]. Group 1: Job Market and Opportunities - There are over a million openings in critical jobs such as emergency services, trucking, and skilled trades, indicating a serious shortage of workers in these areas [2]. - Ford CEO Jim Farley highlights that many high-paying jobs, such as mechanics in Ford dealerships, offer salaries around $120,000 per year but require extensive training [4][5]. - Enrollment in trade schools has increased by 4.9% from 2020 to 2023, contrasting with a decline of approximately 1.4 million students in U.S. college enrollment from 2012 to 2024 [7]. Group 2: Economic Context - The median weekly earnings for full-time U.S. workers in Q2 2025 were reported at $1,196, translating to an annual salary of about $62,192, while many skilled roles pay nearly double this amount [3]. - Farley expresses concern that the U.S. may lack sufficient skilled workers to meet national defense needs, referencing Ford's historical role in producing military vehicles during World War II [6]. Group 3: Financial Implications - Many Americans are feeling financially strained due to rising living costs, which complicates their ability to pursue training for high-paying skilled jobs [8]. - The need for additional income streams is emphasized as a way for individuals to manage financial pressures and work towards long-term goals [10].

U.S. Submarine Industrial Base Challenges - The U.S submarine industrial base is facing a massive issue, causing concern among U.S officials [1] - Next-generation submarine programs are facing delays, including the Columbia Class submarines delayed by 12-17 months and Virginia Class attack submarines delayed by 24-36 months [2] - The U.S may not be able to produce enough submarines to replace aging fleets, and the Navy has not met its goal of building one Columbia Class and two Virginia Class submarines per year [3] - Shipyards are facing attrition rates as high as 30% for some skilled trades, with not enough new people to replace them [4] - The Navy needs to hire 140,000 workers over the next decade to meet the growing need for submarine construction and repair [5] China's Submarine Capabilities - China is rapidly building its undersea fleet at a rate of 4-6 nuclear-powered submarines per year [6] - China is projected to have 80 submarines by 2035, raising concerns in Washington about China's investment in R&D and shipyards [6] Revitalization Efforts - A 100,000 square foot training facility in Virginia is part of efforts to boost development and hiring [7] - The training program lasts 16 weeks and aims to address the skilled labor shortage by training individuals for jobs in the submarine industrial base [7]

Core Insights - Ford CEO Jim Farley expresses optimism regarding President Trump's push for increased US-made products, but highlights potential challenges due to a lack of skilled workers to meet rising demand [1][3] - The essential economy, which includes critical industries such as construction, utilities, and transportation, is facing significant worker shortages as older employees retire and younger generations find certain jobs unappealing [5][6] Industry Overview - The essential economy contributes $12 trillion to the GDP, supports 95 million jobs, and encompasses 3 million businesses [4] - A survey indicates that 17.4% of manufacturing companies report worker shortages, with projections suggesting a need to fill 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade [6][8] Company Initiatives - Ford is investing over $5 million in workforce development through 2026, focusing on establishing 15 Ford Future Builders Labs in Michigan and Tennessee to provide hands-on learning for K-12 students [7] - The company plans to collaborate with SkillsUSA to enhance advanced manufacturing and automotive programs for high school students [7]