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How will we fill the massive labor shortage in the surging manufacturing sector?
04-05-2026, 04:49 AM
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#1
- gachase21
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How will we fill the massive labor shortage in the surging manufacturing sector?
With manufacturing surging even more (I'll get into that next post) - we have started off in an already large labor shortage...
-And this shortage is expected to grow to over 2 million workers needed in the next 4 years
The problem is we keep losing employees by natural attrition (while manufacturing is growing creating even more need - and we can't fill the need.) We've net loss total employed in the last year, while employment demand is strong.
We have seen some job losses with immigrants consuming up to 40% of manufacturing jobs- and with the massive deterrence that has happening in immigration resulting in much less people crossing the border - the natural attrition backfills haven't been there- contributing some to the less total employed now- creating harder pressure on the demand for those jobs - but this old backfill system doesn't meet modern manufacturing needs anymore- and we needed to walk away from it
It has become very tough to fill sector - as modern manufacturing takes a little bit more skill, and the new generation simply just doesn't want to do it.
That is the main reason
The reality is- we have a massive shortage of manufacturing workers- anyone wanting to get a job in manufacturing right now can- and this is only going to grow
https://mie-solutions.com/u-s-manufacturing-labor-shortages-and-hiring-pressures-in-2026/
https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/news/2026/03/10/data-reveals-us-manufacturing-faces-a-2-million-worker-shortage/27163
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/79-manufacturing-executives-skilled-labor-150000740.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADfRB1QL-A1Kt3DI8XPFHWAwfv7wigp1_SqAH2xlSzmByGkbLck-G40Z4ZOE-Z_Hyjfutesun9k9lUp7y1YDcyfecKXXdu0RX4Nq6Hie2Mmn6Stq_caCCXxNQJzpCyLKHd__kHUTfVc8PG6UzDKoLHhLp1uch258dADdc9H7CIQV
https://fortune.com/2026/03/27/shipbuilding-industry-skilled-trade-job-shortages-gen-z-opportunity-trump-administration-manufacturing-revitalization-ai-proof-high-wages/
---
You look at the shortage projections upcoming like in my first link
"Industry research consistently suggests that the U.S. manufacturing sector could face 1.5-2 million unfilled roles by the early 2030s, driven by:
-An ageing skilled workforce and retirements
-Underinvestment in vocational and technical training
-Rising demand for advanced manufacturing and maintenance skills
-Geographic mismatches between jobs and talent pools
Against this backdrop, manufacturers are hiring aggressively, but not evenly, across the country."
Just the retiring population alone is gonna be pretty significant.
---we are talking up to 2 million short four years from now
You can't just hire some dude that walked off the farm for these things anymore- as they more of these jobs take unique skills and people with certain kinds of certifications/skill
Certs are probably better than a graduate degree right now.
-The other thing may we need to have figured out nationally is probably some kind of paid relocation program because everything is unique geography. (Many companies initiate this, but it probably needs better coordination to capture more willing labor who doesn't know how to find that)
On of the most respected OG's from here in this industry - my man johnez and I were discussing this, and he made some great points...
I know with us- I've started hiring kids in Hvac school as maintenance tech apprentices/interns two years before needs just to have replacements ready in 3 years apprentices interns
Extreme flexibility to beginning just to keep them with us hopefully.
-these certifications aren't really easy
Some of these high schools are doing vocational schools starting at 10th grade, but there really needs to be some packages presented to some bright kids because these paths are frankly greater than many graduate degrees, and are a little more complicated
I would definitely say some of the average higher level tech certifications are considerably more challenging than some basic junior college final exams.
Gen Z just isn't interested in this
What is the solution for this massive job demand?
-And this shortage is expected to grow to over 2 million workers needed in the next 4 years
The problem is we keep losing employees by natural attrition (while manufacturing is growing creating even more need - and we can't fill the need.) We've net loss total employed in the last year, while employment demand is strong.
We have seen some job losses with immigrants consuming up to 40% of manufacturing jobs- and with the massive deterrence that has happening in immigration resulting in much less people crossing the border - the natural attrition backfills haven't been there- contributing some to the less total employed now- creating harder pressure on the demand for those jobs - but this old backfill system doesn't meet modern manufacturing needs anymore- and we needed to walk away from it
It has become very tough to fill sector - as modern manufacturing takes a little bit more skill, and the new generation simply just doesn't want to do it.
That is the main reason
The reality is- we have a massive shortage of manufacturing workers- anyone wanting to get a job in manufacturing right now can- and this is only going to grow
https://mie-solutions.com/u-s-manufacturing-labor-shortages-and-hiring-pressures-in-2026/
https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/news/2026/03/10/data-reveals-us-manufacturing-faces-a-2-million-worker-shortage/27163
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/79-manufacturing-executives-skilled-labor-150000740.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADfRB1QL-A1Kt3DI8XPFHWAwfv7wigp1_SqAH2xlSzmByGkbLck-G40Z4ZOE-Z_Hyjfutesun9k9lUp7y1YDcyfecKXXdu0RX4Nq6Hie2Mmn6Stq_caCCXxNQJzpCyLKHd__kHUTfVc8PG6UzDKoLHhLp1uch258dADdc9H7CIQV
https://fortune.com/2026/03/27/shipbuilding-industry-skilled-trade-job-shortages-gen-z-opportunity-trump-administration-manufacturing-revitalization-ai-proof-high-wages/
---
You look at the shortage projections upcoming like in my first link
"Industry research consistently suggests that the U.S. manufacturing sector could face 1.5-2 million unfilled roles by the early 2030s, driven by:
-An ageing skilled workforce and retirements
-Underinvestment in vocational and technical training
-Rising demand for advanced manufacturing and maintenance skills
-Geographic mismatches between jobs and talent pools
Against this backdrop, manufacturers are hiring aggressively, but not evenly, across the country."
Just the retiring population alone is gonna be pretty significant.
---we are talking up to 2 million short four years from now
You can't just hire some dude that walked off the farm for these things anymore- as they more of these jobs take unique skills and people with certain kinds of certifications/skill
Certs are probably better than a graduate degree right now.
-The other thing may we need to have figured out nationally is probably some kind of paid relocation program because everything is unique geography. (Many companies initiate this, but it probably needs better coordination to capture more willing labor who doesn't know how to find that)
On of the most respected OG's from here in this industry - my man johnez and I were discussing this, and he made some great points...
I know with us- I've started hiring kids in Hvac school as maintenance tech apprentices/interns two years before needs just to have replacements ready in 3 years apprentices interns
Extreme flexibility to beginning just to keep them with us hopefully.
-these certifications aren't really easy
Some of these high schools are doing vocational schools starting at 10th grade, but there really needs to be some packages presented to some bright kids because these paths are frankly greater than many graduate degrees, and are a little more complicated
I would definitely say some of the average higher level tech certifications are considerably more challenging than some basic junior college final exams.
Gen Z just isn't interested in this
What is the solution for this massive job demand?
04-05-2026, 04:58 AM
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#2
- gachase21
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And it keeps surging....
_______
despite needing more workers
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-manufacturing-output-rises-marginally-february-2026-03-16/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/us-industrial-production-increases-by-most-in-nearly-a-year
https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/manufacturing-production-mom/news/517751
_______
despite needing more workers
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-manufacturing-output-rises-marginally-february-2026-03-16/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/us-industrial-production-increases-by-most-in-nearly-a-year
https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/manufacturing-production-mom/news/517751
04-05-2026, 06:20 AM
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#3
- WoofieNugget
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You're going to have to pay people more to incentivise them to even enter the sector. And it also needs a serious PR campaign, because to young people, working in a factory doing repetitive labour, even for $30 an hour, sounds like death.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
04-05-2026, 06:32 AM
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#4
Originally Posted By WoofieNugget⏩
^^This
You're going to have to pay people more to incentivise them to even enter the sector. And it also needs a serious PR campaign, because to young people, working in a factory doing repetitive labour, even for $30 an hour, sounds like death.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
Its ironic that how every time we bring in 10 million immigrants, we have millions more job openings....that just cant be filled..unless we bring in another 10 million.
04-05-2026, 07:43 AM
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#5
Originally Posted By RIKTERS⏩
Probably not. People will shit on zoomers (and some of it is certainly deserved), but it just keeps getting harder and harder for people to get a decent job/get a career going - and I bet there are plenty out there that would be willing to take these manufacturing jobs IF they truly exist and will hire them. I'm always a bit skeptical of these "we just can't find people (legal citizens) willing to work!" claims.
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
04-05-2026, 07:46 AM
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#6
- Mark1T
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- Mark1T
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Instead of shop class, as an elective, offer high school students a 2-year training program, co-op funded by manufacturing companies not only to ensure employment, fulfill the manufacturing void. It is not a quick fix, but a paradigm shift in education where there is a more practical choice for students who do not see the benefits and expense of going to college.
Helping one person may not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.
04-05-2026, 07:50 AM
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#7
- IslandPapi
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easy solution: import millions of Indians, Mexicans, africans, and Arabs
Banging Twinks Since 2016
04-05-2026, 08:29 AM
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#8
- WoofieNugget
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Originally Posted By Mark1T⏩
This is a great idea. And for high school students who aren't likely to graduate or succeed in the regular corporate world, it's a way to start making money and develop a work ethic.
Instead of shop class, as an elective, offer high school students a 2-year training program, co-op funded by manufacturing companies not only to ensure employment, fulfill the manufacturing void. It is not a quick fix, but a paradigm shift in education where there is a more practical choice for students who do not see the benefits and expense of going to college.
04-05-2026, 08:45 AM
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#9
Originally Posted By gachase21⏩
I don't really understand the long hypothetical thread. Does the idea of supply and demand not apply here?
Gen Z just isn't interested in this
What is the solution for this massive job demand?
What is the solution for this massive job demand?
04-05-2026, 09:15 AM
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#10
- gachase21
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In addition to the already growing need to fill this labor shortage in manufacturing - we also have bellow.
And many of the job needs bellow aren't even counting as part of the projected manufacturing labor 5 year outlook needs I cited above (some is)
These are basically cannibalizing the same type skill workers into those projections.
And many of the job needs bellow aren't even counting as part of the projected manufacturing labor 5 year outlook needs I cited above (some is)
These are basically cannibalizing the same type skill workers into those projections.
How the red-hot AI data center boom is igniting demand for a new, lucrative career path: Trade workers
-Specialized and technical professionals moving into data center roles often see a 25% to 30% pay increase, according to staffing firm Kelly Services.
-“Ultimately, the real constraint on global tech growth isn’t solely related to a shortage of microchips, energy, or capital; it is the severe scarcity of the specialized talent required to build it,” Sander van’t Noordende, CEO of the world’s largest recruitment firm, Randstad, told CNBC.
“The digital revolution requires a massive physical foundation,” Sander van’t Noordende, CEO of the world’s largest recruitment firm Randstad, told CNBC. “Ultimately, the real constraint on global tech growth isn’t solely related to a shortage of microchips, energy, or capital; it is the severe scarcity of the specialized talent required to build it.”
Between 2022 and 2026, demand for robotic technicians increased by 107%, according to a global analysis of 50 million job postings released by Randstad on Wednesday. For cooling — or HVAC — system engineers, the growth rate was 67%, and vacancies for industrial automation technicians grew by 51%.
Meanwhile, job listings for traditional skilled trade jobs such as construction workers and electricians increased by 27%, according to Randstad’s analysis
With roughly 12,000 data centers existing globally today, and thousands more to be built to house high-performance AI computing capacity, it’s essential to update outdated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems every four to six years, according to Mike Mathews, digital infrastructure leader at professional services firm Marsh.Mathews noted “massive growth areas specific to labor” as a result of these retrofitting requirements, with network engineers, electricians, mechanical engineers, and plumbing and heating contractors deployed to install new liquid cooling systems.A fourth-generation plumber himself, Mathews described these roles as “new-collar” jobs, which will see traditional white-collar and blue-collar employees working alongside each other and being valued the same.
“The data center space will be the first time when we’ve had highly compensated, high-skilled trades workers physically working next to network engineers who have college degrees. And I think it’s a great social blend that we’re going to have throughout data centers,” Mathews added.Skills shortage driving wage premiumRandstad’s Noordende said that a “scarcity premium is taking effect” and that advertised wages for HVAC engineers have increased by roughly 10% to 15% in the past four years.
“As AI infrastructure demand outpaces a shrinking labor supply, wage growth is rising significantly for these specialized roles,” Noordende said, adding that six-figure salaries are achievable in the sector.
Specialized and technical professionals moving into high-level data center roles often see a 25% to 30% pay increase, according to staffing firm Kelly Services, which shared estimates with CNBC based on internal and third-party data. It said the premium can vary by role and full-spectrum salary data is still emerging for data center positions.
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang – a central figure behind the AI data center boom – predicted in January that “six-figure salaries” are on the horizon for the workers building AI factories.
A key factor driving these salaries higher is a shortage of trade workers, with the U.S. facing a potential shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing workers by 2033, according to 2025 data from the National Association of Manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Associated Builders and Contractors trade group estimates that nearly half a million new workers will be needed in 2027, up from the 349,000 needed in 2026.
″[The skills shortage is] a huge issue now, and it’s only going to get worse,” Gary Wojtaszek, executive chairman and interim CEO of Pure Data Centres, told CNBC.
“The good thing is AI won’t replace any of those jobs — someone needs to man those machines, so those are really important jobs, and that is a huge challenge for the industry overall.”
-Specialized and technical professionals moving into data center roles often see a 25% to 30% pay increase, according to staffing firm Kelly Services.
-“Ultimately, the real constraint on global tech growth isn’t solely related to a shortage of microchips, energy, or capital; it is the severe scarcity of the specialized talent required to build it,” Sander van’t Noordende, CEO of the world’s largest recruitment firm, Randstad, told CNBC.
“The digital revolution requires a massive physical foundation,” Sander van’t Noordende, CEO of the world’s largest recruitment firm Randstad, told CNBC. “Ultimately, the real constraint on global tech growth isn’t solely related to a shortage of microchips, energy, or capital; it is the severe scarcity of the specialized talent required to build it.”
Between 2022 and 2026, demand for robotic technicians increased by 107%, according to a global analysis of 50 million job postings released by Randstad on Wednesday. For cooling — or HVAC — system engineers, the growth rate was 67%, and vacancies for industrial automation technicians grew by 51%.
Meanwhile, job listings for traditional skilled trade jobs such as construction workers and electricians increased by 27%, according to Randstad’s analysis
With roughly 12,000 data centers existing globally today, and thousands more to be built to house high-performance AI computing capacity, it’s essential to update outdated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems every four to six years, according to Mike Mathews, digital infrastructure leader at professional services firm Marsh.Mathews noted “massive growth areas specific to labor” as a result of these retrofitting requirements, with network engineers, electricians, mechanical engineers, and plumbing and heating contractors deployed to install new liquid cooling systems.A fourth-generation plumber himself, Mathews described these roles as “new-collar” jobs, which will see traditional white-collar and blue-collar employees working alongside each other and being valued the same.
“The data center space will be the first time when we’ve had highly compensated, high-skilled trades workers physically working next to network engineers who have college degrees. And I think it’s a great social blend that we’re going to have throughout data centers,” Mathews added.Skills shortage driving wage premiumRandstad’s Noordende said that a “scarcity premium is taking effect” and that advertised wages for HVAC engineers have increased by roughly 10% to 15% in the past four years.
“As AI infrastructure demand outpaces a shrinking labor supply, wage growth is rising significantly for these specialized roles,” Noordende said, adding that six-figure salaries are achievable in the sector.
Specialized and technical professionals moving into high-level data center roles often see a 25% to 30% pay increase, according to staffing firm Kelly Services, which shared estimates with CNBC based on internal and third-party data. It said the premium can vary by role and full-spectrum salary data is still emerging for data center positions.
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang – a central figure behind the AI data center boom – predicted in January that “six-figure salaries” are on the horizon for the workers building AI factories.
A key factor driving these salaries higher is a shortage of trade workers, with the U.S. facing a potential shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing workers by 2033, according to 2025 data from the National Association of Manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Associated Builders and Contractors trade group estimates that nearly half a million new workers will be needed in 2027, up from the 349,000 needed in 2026.
″[The skills shortage is] a huge issue now, and it’s only going to get worse,” Gary Wojtaszek, executive chairman and interim CEO of Pure Data Centres, told CNBC.
“The good thing is AI won’t replace any of those jobs — someone needs to man those machines, so those are really important jobs, and that is a huge challenge for the industry overall.”
04-05-2026, 09:18 AM
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#11
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By WoofieNugget⏩
This is true- and this is already happening- as you see johnez noting above- the places are paying entry level 100k with bare bones minimum resumes- and you can see the expansion of that in the article above.
You're going to have to pay people more to incentivise them to even enter the sector. And it also needs a serious PR campaign, because to young people, working in a factory doing repetitive labour, even for $30 an hour, sounds like death.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
$30 an hour is only 60k a year, which is barely even a living wage anymore.
You are correct about the PR campaign and youth influencing being the need - as some of the others above expanded into ideas.
A big problem is, the younger generations simply don't want to do this- regardless of the pay.
They would rather default to making life style concessions at lower pay than do this work.
Some of that is watching some history horror at what this industry "used to be like"
04-05-2026, 09:31 AM
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#12
04-05-2026, 09:33 AM
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#13
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By RIKTERS⏩
We certainly don't need immigration to solve this- and the typical way we did that with manufacturing in the past won't really work the same with this anyway.
^^This
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
Its ironic that how every time we bring in 10 million immigrants, we have millions more job openings....that just cant be filled..unless we bring in another 10 million.
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
Its ironic that how every time we bring in 10 million immigrants, we have millions more job openings....that just cant be filled..unless we bring in another 10 million.
I think you are correct in they don't know they exist - or how to get into them.
A big part- as I just said above- the youth simply don't want to do it regardless of pay.
The recruitment methods in the past were
-My dad did it so I will do it
or
-Get immigrants
or
-Run a staffing campaign, make the jobs simple and hire
Now kids watch what their parents did, and just aren't interacted in doing that at all.
Any many parents did whatever they could to get their kids into something else "for a better life" (perceived better anyway from those who don't know)
What kids need is a path- and they need it early (a large part in what Mark said above) - and it needs to be inspired by parents and influencers.
I know with my kids I made sure and set a definitive path for them (with me knowing them, and what they would fit well in to). Kids don't know what they should be doing -0 wisdom
This whole notions of "kids should be able to decide to do anything they want, and change their mind 100 times" "let them do what they want to" is a bunch of BS- many kids enter into fields they have no business being in, or that have limited prospects.
I know with my kids I set their path, set it early, and had them life plan around a clear path where they knew the end goal- and the objectives to achieve to get there
- Son "you are going to be a lawyer, here is what you need to do" - "okay dad"
- Daughter "you are going to med school and be a doctor, here is what you need to do" "but dad i want to be an astronomer or a designer" "that's fine daughter, you can do that has a hobby when you finish med school - as of now here are your directions"
If my kids were 12 now, I would do the same thing but perhaps instead now say "you need to become an electrician with the highest level certifications, and dual with HVAC with the highest level certifications"
04-05-2026, 09:39 AM
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#14
04-05-2026, 09:42 AM
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#15
- MiscDetective
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Most smart people want skills that are portable.
If I'm a doctor/pilot/lawyer/accountant/plumber/carpenter/accountant, and I don't like the deal I'm getting, I can walk off the job and have another one waiting for me tomorrow.
If I'm trained in repairing XYZ machine that manufactures ABC widget, I'm much more dependent on my employer than they are on me. If I leave them, they're short staffed until they can find a replacement and have to pay a little overtime. If they fire me, I'm fucked. There are probably no other jobs in the country which use my specific set of skills. Certainly none near me.
People have watched employers ruthlessly exploit this over the last 45 years, crushing unions, offshoring jobs, and relentlessly driving down wages until back breaking work became only marginally better paying than McDonalds.
If I was a young person getting started in that career field today you'd have to pay me a serious premium, probably 50% or more. Fuck being at the mercy of a single employer, especially one in a low-margin industry dominated by low-cost foreign competition.
If I'm a doctor/pilot/lawyer/accountant/plumber/carpenter/accountant, and I don't like the deal I'm getting, I can walk off the job and have another one waiting for me tomorrow.
If I'm trained in repairing XYZ machine that manufactures ABC widget, I'm much more dependent on my employer than they are on me. If I leave them, they're short staffed until they can find a replacement and have to pay a little overtime. If they fire me, I'm fucked. There are probably no other jobs in the country which use my specific set of skills. Certainly none near me.
People have watched employers ruthlessly exploit this over the last 45 years, crushing unions, offshoring jobs, and relentlessly driving down wages until back breaking work became only marginally better paying than McDonalds.
If I was a young person getting started in that career field today you'd have to pay me a serious premium, probably 50% or more. Fuck being at the mercy of a single employer, especially one in a low-margin industry dominated by low-cost foreign competition.
04-05-2026, 09:43 AM
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#16
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By Seatard⏩
https://www.skilledtrades.com/
Is there a place I can go to see 10's of thousands of these manufacturing job postings and what salaries they are offering?
https://www.tradesmeninternational.com/jobs/by-trade/
https://skilled.peopleready.com/jobs/
https://www.indeed.com/q-skilled-trades-jobs.html
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Skilled-Trades
https://skilled.peopleready.com/
https://www.tradesmeninternational.com/
https://powerlaborusa.com/
https://www.laborfinders.com/skilled-trade-staffing/
https://www.skilledtradespartners.com/
https://superiorskilledtrades.com/
Some are higher end than others
The best way honestly is just find activity in the area you want, and call the supervisor- let them know who you are, your abilities, your enthusiasm, that you are a normal smart person- can speak English, act like a human, work hard etc...
And they will hire you above your qualification- because the needs is that great.
edit dang, this forum turned all those links into words lol- brb
04-05-2026, 09:53 AM
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#17
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By Mark1T⏩
This is exactly some of what it will take.
Instead of shop class, as an elective, offer high school students a 2-year training program, co-op funded by manufacturing companies not only to ensure employment, fulfill the manufacturing void. It is not a quick fix, but a paradigm shift in education where there is a more practical choice for students who do not see the benefits and expense of going to college.
We also need to make some intuitional changes for people in sectors that are diminishing with AI.
One of the problems- people in careers that are starting to disappear - aren't put into "forced" type situations where they need to make moves to completely change their career.
In terms of unemployment payments- we can continue as normal initially- but when we get into the extended type unemployment- we need to tether it to vocational training requirements based on demand.
As well as grants and loans based on demand- instead of broad use. Perhaps label some of this fields in the "public interest" category that gets loan forgiveness.
04-05-2026, 09:57 AM
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#18
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By Seatard⏩
This isn't hypothetical stuff- just the reality of where we are at with industry publications for the convo.
I don't really understand the long hypothetical thread. Does the idea of supply and demand not apply here?
Supply demand doesn't seem to cut in enough here- in that world they just keep raising wage until more flows- but that doesn't seem to happened (it will obviously play in and help)
But these needs are so niche and unique- it is going to take a more structural intuitional modernizing to adjust to the needs imo
And it needs to start early
04-05-2026, 10:13 AM
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#19
- gachase21
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Originally Posted By Seatard⏩
To your point about supply demand- yes that is in play by big players, but it will take more structural changes than this imo especially as quick as we need it.
I don't really understand the long hypothetical thread. Does the idea of supply and demand not apply here?
https://fortune.com/2026/03/11/blackrock-skilled-trade-worker-training-investment-100-million-dollars-electricans-plumbers-hvac-technicals-six-figure-salaries-stable-jobs-gen-z-larry-fink/
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2026/03/20/new-tx-jobs-council
https://nkytribune.com/2026/03/new-heritage-trades-training-program-addresses-critical-skilled-labor-shortage/
And several others to help stuff like this
https://fortune.com/2026/03/02/ai-data-centers-electrician-shortage-gen-z-training-careers/
https://fortune.com/2026/03/20/skilled-trade-demand-randstand-report-electricans-technicans-construction-workers-six-figure-salaries-data-center-boom/
04-05-2026, 10:17 AM
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#20
I've had years of direct experience in the blue collar world, from residential construction up to heavy industrial, and now work adjacent to the state's university system funneling kids into material science, engineering and manufacturing jobs, mostly related to space and DoD, but including environmental, mechanical,and computer science fields.
In my experience, I have to disagree with the assumptions that the damn kids these days are lazy and there aren't enough willing to work. I think in reality they are smart as fuck and rightly skeptical of getting the rug pulled out from under them. They have no concept of the good old days, all they know is the shit show of today, and the days of showing initiative by calling the supervisor or showing up somewhere ready to work are long gone other than hitting the Home Depot parking lot looking for work with the rest of them.
I'll add that where we are now is the result of 50 or 75 years of decisions, and changing anything will probably take that long. I'd offer that one way to start is by not dismantling the education department, not offering bad loan terms, rolling back safety regulations and oversight, disrupting markets with shifting policies and wars, and by putting 99% of the effort towards rewarding and incentivizing the ownership class to fuck over the little guy as much as possible.
In my experience, I have to disagree with the assumptions that the damn kids these days are lazy and there aren't enough willing to work. I think in reality they are smart as fuck and rightly skeptical of getting the rug pulled out from under them. They have no concept of the good old days, all they know is the shit show of today, and the days of showing initiative by calling the supervisor or showing up somewhere ready to work are long gone other than hitting the Home Depot parking lot looking for work with the rest of them.
I'll add that where we are now is the result of 50 or 75 years of decisions, and changing anything will probably take that long. I'd offer that one way to start is by not dismantling the education department, not offering bad loan terms, rolling back safety regulations and oversight, disrupting markets with shifting policies and wars, and by putting 99% of the effort towards rewarding and incentivizing the ownership class to fuck over the little guy as much as possible.
04-05-2026, 10:24 AM
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#21
- gachase21
- Join Date: Dec 2010
- Location: Georgia, United States
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Just a few examples 100k listings
Experienced Electrician - Residential & Multi-Family
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=1ce30eddf005d8e6&from=appshareios
Residential Journeyman
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d23be3eaeb2620e2&from=appshareios
This one includes training
Data Center HVAC Start-Up Commissioning Technician
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=89f79c8823de8af1&from=appshareios
Data Center Mechanical Lead / HVAC
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f3747c9f4264d600&from=appshareios
https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/traveling-data-center-apprentice-electrician-140-daily-per-diem-kidwell-JV_IC1136371_KO0,63_KE64,71.htm?jl=1010065332875
Experienced Electrician - Residential & Multi-Family
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=1ce30eddf005d8e6&from=appshareios
Residential Journeyman
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d23be3eaeb2620e2&from=appshareios
This one includes training
Data Center HVAC Start-Up Commissioning Technician
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=89f79c8823de8af1&from=appshareios
Data Center Mechanical Lead / HVAC
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f3747c9f4264d600&from=appshareios
https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/traveling-data-center-apprentice-electrician-140-daily-per-diem-kidwell-JV_IC1136371_KO0,63_KE64,71.htm?jl=1010065332875
04-05-2026, 10:30 AM
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#22
Originally Posted By gachase21⏩
By hypothetical I meant by starting with trade industry projections and building an argument based on an assumption younger generations simply don't want to do this- regardless of the pay.
This isn't hypothetical stuff- just the reality of where we are at with industry publications for the convo.
Supply demand doesn't seem to cut in enough here- in that world they just keep raising wage until more flows- but that doesn't seem to happened (it will obviously play in and help)
But these needs are so niche and unique- it is going to take a more structural intuitional modernizing to adjust to the needs imo
And it needs to start early
Supply demand doesn't seem to cut in enough here- in that world they just keep raising wage until more flows- but that doesn't seem to happened (it will obviously play in and help)
But these needs are so niche and unique- it is going to take a more structural intuitional modernizing to adjust to the needs imo
And it needs to start early
The reality right here right now is that domestic manufacturing and trades continue to be a sinking ship, with some good opportunities perceived as bubbles.
I could not agree more with needing a structural institutional reset. It's critical and to the point where we should drop most everything except for a Manhattan Project style project to figure out how to get our average reading and math and science abilities on par with the rest of the world.
But that is opposite of the direction we've chosen as a nation. It's probably too late to do anything about it now.
04-05-2026, 10:33 AM
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#23
Originally Posted By gachase21⏩
Those match what I was expecting, the high pay is reserved for those with years of experience.
Just a few examples 100k listings
Experienced Electrician - Residential & Multi-Family
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=1ce30eddf005d8e6&from=appshareios
Residential Journeyman
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d23be3eaeb2620e2&from=appshareios
This one includes training
Data Center HVAC Start-Up Commissioning Technician
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=89f79c8823de8af1&from=appshareios
Data Center Mechanical Lead / HVAC
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f3747c9f4264d600&from=appshareios
https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/traveling-data-center-apprentice-electrician-140-daily-per-diem-kidwell-JV_IC1136371_KO0,63_KE64,71.htm?jl=1010065332875
Experienced Electrician - Residential & Multi-Family
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=1ce30eddf005d8e6&from=appshareios
Residential Journeyman
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d23be3eaeb2620e2&from=appshareios
This one includes training
Data Center HVAC Start-Up Commissioning Technician
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=89f79c8823de8af1&from=appshareios
Data Center Mechanical Lead / HVAC
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f3747c9f4264d600&from=appshareios
https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/traveling-data-center-apprentice-electrician-140-daily-per-diem-kidwell-JV_IC1136371_KO0,63_KE64,71.htm?jl=1010065332875
There are a few hiccups, but on the other side of all this, Facebook and Amazon are able to quickly build massive data centers with the current pool of workers.
04-05-2026, 10:50 AM
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#24
Originally Posted By RIKTERS⏩
You're absolutely right. These labor shortage crises are purely propaganda for more immigration.
^^This
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
Its ironic that how every time we bring in 10 million immigrants, we have millions more job openings....that just cant be filled..unless we bring in another 10 million.
I dont think most younger people even know that manufacturing jobs exist anymore?
Its ironic that how every time we bring in 10 million immigrants, we have millions more job openings....that just cant be filled..unless we bring in another 10 million.
I'll give you an example. The data center boom and construction. The slave trade I work in you make a poverty salary of 100k a year base. There were 1300 applicants for our apprenticeship program this year.
Out of 1300 applicants you know many they accepted? 100 lmao. If there is such a labor shortage workers for data centers you think they would be only taking 100/1300 applicants?
And the data job centers are dog shit, due to commute. They offered me one, but it was an hour and 15 minute commute one way with a two hour drive back home. The gas note for the month would have been $1,100 a month which is close to a full check a month in just gas alone.
Most people I know who have gotten on these data center jobs quit in my jurisdiction looking for something closer to home.
I think a lot of if comes down to issues like travel. The trades demand a whole bunch of traveling to chase work, and not having a life. 3 hours commutes everyday (unpaid), 60 hour work weeks, not including the 18 hours a week your driving unpaid.
Construction right now is so oversaturated. Even with the piss poor wages a lot of these jobs are paying.
Then you have the mismatch of skills problem. You can have a state license, but due to how broad these fields are you can have a state license to practice, but not be able to get hired because an employer doesn't want to pay you while you're adapting to new tasks.
Point being that the job market is totally broken, and that is why there is such a push for for younger people to trade stocks and do YouTube. They've already suffering applying for millions of jobs with no responses.
Tech is another perfect example with H1-B and people from India. Plenty of companies have been busted abusing the system when there are tons of workers already at home.
If you're reading articles like this from MS sites you can automatically infer they are lies. I just see right through it because I have anecdotal experience.
There are no shortage for workers.
And posting Indeed listings to prove your point is a joke. Even ChatGPT lets you know indeed is such a low probability hire, even with all the qualifications needed to perform the job.
"I am a rational animal who occupies the intermediary position between angel and beast"
"The upper class is afforded their position by the collective burden the underclass must carry for them"
**Summer Walker Crew**
04-05-2026, 11:06 AM
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#25
Originally Posted By OPGenesis⏩
Great post and just look at Oracle/Big Tech, etc constantly claiming a shortage of talent while firing tens of thousands of American workers and replacing them with alphabet visa workers.
You're absolutely right. These labor shortage crises are purely propaganda for more immigration.
I'll give you an example. The data center boom and construction. The slave trade I work in you make a poverty salary of 100k a year base. There were 1300 applicants for our apprenticeship program this year.
Out of 1300 applicants you know many they accepted? 100 lmao. If there is such a labor shortage workers for data centers you think they would be only taking 100/1300 applicants?
And the data job centers are dog shit, due to commute. They offered me one, but it was an hour and 15 minute commute one way with a two hour drive back home. The gas note for the month would have been $1,100 a month which is close to a full check a month in just gas alone.
Most people I know who have gotten on these data center jobs quit in my jurisdiction looking for something closer to home.
I think a lot of if comes down to issues like travel. The trades demand a whole bunch of traveling to chase work, and not having a life. 3 hours commutes everyday (unpaid), 60 hour work weeks, not including the 18 hours a week your driving unpaid.
Construction right now is so oversaturated. Even with the piss poor wages a lot of these jobs are paying.
Then you have the mismatch of skills problem. You can have a state license, but due to how broad these fields are you can have a state license to practice, but not be able to get hired because an employer doesn't want to pay you while you're adapting to new tasks.
Point being that the job market is totally broken, and that is why there is such a push for for younger people to trade stocks and do YouTube. They've already suffering applying for millions of jobs with no responses.
Tech is another perfect example with H1-B and people from India. Plenty of companies have been busted abusing the system when there are tons of workers already at home.
If you're reading articles like this from MS sites you can automatically infer they are lies. I just see right through it because I have anecdotal experience.
There are no shortage for workers.
And posting Indeed listings to prove your point is a joke. Even ChatGPT lets you know indeed is such a low probability hire, even with all the qualifications needed to perform the job.
I'll give you an example. The data center boom and construction. The slave trade I work in you make a poverty salary of 100k a year base. There were 1300 applicants for our apprenticeship program this year.
Out of 1300 applicants you know many they accepted? 100 lmao. If there is such a labor shortage workers for data centers you think they would be only taking 100/1300 applicants?
And the data job centers are dog shit, due to commute. They offered me one, but it was an hour and 15 minute commute one way with a two hour drive back home. The gas note for the month would have been $1,100 a month which is close to a full check a month in just gas alone.
Most people I know who have gotten on these data center jobs quit in my jurisdiction looking for something closer to home.
I think a lot of if comes down to issues like travel. The trades demand a whole bunch of traveling to chase work, and not having a life. 3 hours commutes everyday (unpaid), 60 hour work weeks, not including the 18 hours a week your driving unpaid.
Construction right now is so oversaturated. Even with the piss poor wages a lot of these jobs are paying.
Then you have the mismatch of skills problem. You can have a state license, but due to how broad these fields are you can have a state license to practice, but not be able to get hired because an employer doesn't want to pay you while you're adapting to new tasks.
Point being that the job market is totally broken, and that is why there is such a push for for younger people to trade stocks and do YouTube. They've already suffering applying for millions of jobs with no responses.
Tech is another perfect example with H1-B and people from India. Plenty of companies have been busted abusing the system when there are tons of workers already at home.
If you're reading articles like this from MS sites you can automatically infer they are lies. I just see right through it because I have anecdotal experience.
There are no shortage for workers.
And posting Indeed listings to prove your point is a joke. Even ChatGPT lets you know indeed is such a low probability hire, even with all the qualifications needed to perform the job.
One would think with such a demand, after being laid off, those American workers would be licking their chops at all the huge offers about to come their way....but guess what.
That said, dont get me wrong, I do acknowledge there are legit shortages peppered throughout specifically industries.
04-05-2026, 11:18 AM
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#26
Originally Posted By RIKTERS⏩
These articles don't nearly give you the full rundown of the structural problems. No way I would be subsidizing a contractor $1,100 a month for travel expense. And that is just the gas not including wear and tear on your vehicle and other maintenance.
Great post and just look at Oracle/Big Tech, etc constantly claiming a shortage of talent while firing tens of thousands of American workers and replacing them with alphabet visa workers.
One would think with such a demand, after being laid off, those American workers would be licking their chops at all the huge offers about to come their way....but guess what.
That said, dont get me wrong, I do acknowledge there are legit shortages peppered throughout specifically industries.
One would think with such a demand, after being laid off, those American workers would be licking their chops at all the huge offers about to come their way....but guess what.
That said, dont get me wrong, I do acknowledge there are legit shortages peppered throughout specifically industries.
Most of these retards I've worked with are paying 1,100 a month of just their truck payment alone living check to check. I wouldn't do it and my truck is paid off.
I just tell them that if you don't give me a truck and a gas card you can suck my dick.
And getting a truck and a gas card isn't going to happen for the regular slave worker, unless you're doing service work.
I'd rather just not work or go homeless under those conditions lol. You're not making money.
The data center work is insane, because they all are located in the middle of nowhere, which require crazy commutes, and the little bit of people who live where they're being built are out protesting them all the time, because they don't them being built where they live.
"I am a rational animal who occupies the intermediary position between angel and beast"
"The upper class is afforded their position by the collective burden the underclass must carry for them"
**Summer Walker Crew**
04-05-2026, 11:39 AM
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#27
I'll give another example. Say you have a state HVAC license, but you've only did commercial work as a installer. Commercial work doesn't transfer to residential. Commercial systems and residential systems are two completely different things.
Or say you can't find residential work, and apply for commercial. Commercial in a lot of areas are unionized, so you can't don commercial work.
So you can have a state HVAC license, but you're pigeon holed into commercial work, because you don't have the skillset to do residential. So, if there is no commercial work you typically don't work even though your licensed to do HVAC work because of the skills mismatch.
The same goes for plumbing. If you do commercial it would be hard for you to land a residential job if you don't have residential experience.
It's all very niche, but if you're not in the trades you'll never understand the clusterfuck of it all.
The licenses are like college degrees. You can have all the credentials, but if you don't have the exact experience to match what an employer is asking for they aren't going to hire you. And the fields are way to broad to understand everything. Most of the time you get specialize in one aspect of it, which narrows job opportunities.
Some guys out there made a career out of running copper lines. They'll never be hired to run carbon steel pipe. Some guys have tested water based systems. They'll never be hired to work with refrigerant etc.
Or say you can't find residential work, and apply for commercial. Commercial in a lot of areas are unionized, so you can't don commercial work.
So you can have a state HVAC license, but you're pigeon holed into commercial work, because you don't have the skillset to do residential. So, if there is no commercial work you typically don't work even though your licensed to do HVAC work because of the skills mismatch.
The same goes for plumbing. If you do commercial it would be hard for you to land a residential job if you don't have residential experience.
It's all very niche, but if you're not in the trades you'll never understand the clusterfuck of it all.
The licenses are like college degrees. You can have all the credentials, but if you don't have the exact experience to match what an employer is asking for they aren't going to hire you. And the fields are way to broad to understand everything. Most of the time you get specialize in one aspect of it, which narrows job opportunities.
Some guys out there made a career out of running copper lines. They'll never be hired to run carbon steel pipe. Some guys have tested water based systems. They'll never be hired to work with refrigerant etc.
"I am a rational animal who occupies the intermediary position between angel and beast"
"The upper class is afforded their position by the collective burden the underclass must carry for them"
**Summer Walker Crew**
04-05-2026, 12:47 PM
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#28
Originally Posted By OPGenesis⏩
I read these article saying electricians at AI centers are making $350K per year with free housing on or near property.
These articles don't nearly give you the full rundown of the structural problems. No way I would be subsidizing a contractor $1,100 a month for travel expense. And that is just the gas not including wear and tear on your vehicle and other maintenance.
Most of these retards I've worked with are paying 1,100 a month of just their truck payment alone living check to check. I wouldn't do it and my truck is paid off.
I just tell them that if you don't give me a truck and a gas card you can suck my dick.
And getting a truck and a gas card isn't going to happen for the regular slave worker, unless you're doing service work.
I'd rather just not work or go homeless under those conditions lol. You're not making money.
The data center work is insane, because they all are located in the middle of nowhere, which require crazy commutes, and the little bit of people who live where they're being built are out protesting them all the time, because they don't them being built where they live.
Most of these retards I've worked with are paying 1,100 a month of just their truck payment alone living check to check. I wouldn't do it and my truck is paid off.
I just tell them that if you don't give me a truck and a gas card you can suck my dick.
And getting a truck and a gas card isn't going to happen for the regular slave worker, unless you're doing service work.
I'd rather just not work or go homeless under those conditions lol. You're not making money.
The data center work is insane, because they all are located in the middle of nowhere, which require crazy commutes, and the little bit of people who live where they're being built are out protesting them all the time, because they don't them being built where they live.
What electrician making 75K a year isnt immediately signing up for that? Which makes me think these numbers arent accurate?
04-05-2026, 12:58 PM
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#29
Originally Posted By RIKTERS⏩
Total fucking lie, which goes to prove my point that the articles are nothing but propaganda. A union electrician in my jurisdiction makes around 50//hr.
I read these article saying electricians at AI centers are making $350K per year with free housing on or near property.
What electrician making 75K a year isnt immediately signing up for that? Which makes me think these numbers arent accurate?
What electrician making 75K a year isnt immediately signing up for that? Which makes me think these numbers arent accurate?
The none union markers is around 35-40/hr.
Even as a labor coordinator you aren’t going to touch that type of scale.
350k a year is probably more than what the owner himself is making. One contractor I was working for years ago the owner was only making around 220k himself.
And with the cost of living the younger people don’t even want to get into this shit because even on the highest scale you can’t afford a home in my area.
Most guys I know who do OT year round make around 140k, unless you’re doing super specialized work for pharmaceutical companies. And those are rare jobs.
I could go on and on, but these articles are all lies and horseshit from people who have no experience in the business.
"I am a rational animal who occupies the intermediary position between angel and beast"
"The upper class is afforded their position by the collective burden the underclass must carry for them"
**Summer Walker Crew**
04-05-2026, 01:12 PM
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#30
Originally Posted By OPGenesis⏩
This was probably the main reason I got out of the tradie life. Get up early to fight with psychotic road raging traffic for an hour or so, then doing it again after working all day.
I think a lot of if comes down to issues like travel. The trades demand a whole bunch of traveling to chase work, and not having a life. 3 hours commutes everyday (unpaid), 60 hour work weeks, not including the 18 hours a week your driving unpaid.
The dudes making big money working on power lines or welding pipe are also living in a fucking RV or hotel for half the year or more.
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