China is pushing for more and better practical training, yet its vocational classrooms are seen as a sink for unserious students. The Communist Party has good reasons to want to sort this out https://t.co/BI208voPwDPhoto: Getty Images https://t.co/Mg02tKvmOj ...

A long-term goal for China is to lower barriers that currently keep academic and vocational pathways firmly distinct. But attitudes to practical training may now be shifting https://t.co/6X0CtYJxkj ...

China is pushing for more and better practical training, yet its vocational classrooms are seen as a sink for unserious students. The Communist Party has good reasons to want to sort this out https://t.co/UY9xqDSH1w ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the disparity between the U.S. and countries like China and Japan in valuing skilled labor and investing in vocational training, leading to chronic workforce shortages in the U.S. [1][2][3] Investment in Skilled Labor - Countries such as China and Japan have established robust systems that provide substantial political and financial support for skilled labor roles, making these jobs transformative and widely respected [1][2] - The U.S. has undervalued its essential workforce, resulting in a lack of investment and chronic shortages in critical sectors [1][2][3] U.S. Competitiveness - The Ford CEO expressed concerns that the U.S. is falling behind in manufacturing and critical technologies due to insufficient investments compared to competitors like China and South Korea [3] - Farley highlighted the need for American businesses and policymakers to take bold actions to restore leadership and innovation in the essential economy [3][4] Policy Implications - Farley called for increased investment in vocational training and support for small businesses, emphasizing that current policies alone will not address the skilled labor demand crisis [5][6] - He warned that tariffs and shifting regulations could worsen labor shortages unless accompanied by serious workforce development commitments [6] Local Leadership and Industry Response - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the fierce competition from China and stressed the importance of continued investment in manufacturing to avoid losing good-paying jobs and intellectual leadership [7][8] - Both Farley and Whitmer noted the U.S. has suffered from underinvestment in vocational pathways, with only 0.1% of GDP dedicated to vocational training, significantly lower than other developed nations [10] Future Directions - Ford is actively measuring technician shortages globally and expanding partnerships with local trade schools and unions to recruit and train new workers [9] - There is a call for expanded career tech education, reformed apprenticeships, and deeper partnerships with community colleges to create sustainable pathways into trades [11]

For generations, Germany has relied on vocational training to supply its economy with a steady flow of skilled workers. This model, however, no longer seems to be working – either for trainees or their employers https://t.co/JXQ2JPgysC ...