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United Kingdom
Ford CEO Jim Farley has bemoaned what he describes as a national failure to build and sustain a strong training pipeline for skilled trades, warning that employers cannot fill thousands of well-paid roles because workers are not being prepared for them.
Speaking on the “Office Hours: Business Edition” podcast, Farley said Ford alone has 5,000 open mechanic positions, each offering an annual salary of $120,000. He argued that the shortage highlights systemic gaps in workforce development. “We are in trouble in our country. We are not talking about this enough,” he said.
Farley pointed to more than one million vacancies across critical fields including emergency services, trucking, plumbing, electrical work and factory roles. “It’s a very serious thing,” he said, adding that filling advanced technician roles takes about five years of training, but the nation has not invested in building that capacity.
CEO says training pathways no longer match employer needs
Farley did not mince words about what he sees as the root cause. “We do not have trade schools,” he said. Despite Ford launching a $4million scholarship program earlier this year to train new auto technicians, he argued that efforts from individual employers cannot compensate for a national shortfall in training infrastructure.
He referenced his own family history to underline the long-term stakes, noting his grandfather built a middle-class life through trade work during Ford’s early years.
The CEO’s concerns reflect broader pressure across the sector. The US had more than 400,000 open manufacturing jobs in August, while the National Automobile Dealers Association estimates an annual shortfall of 37,000 trained automotive technicians. Federal projections point to nearly 68,000 openings for mechanics each year through 2033.
Industry leaders say even existing programs are struggling to keep pace. Rich Garrity, a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers, said community colleges and career tech programs “do a solid job in providing foundational training,” but are often behind on advances in robotics, automation, additive manufacturing and EV battery technology. “We see very few focus curriculums that can keep up with that,” he said.
Higher wages not enough to solve shortage
Ford has attempted to draw more workers by eliminating its lowest-wage tier and offering 25% raises across four years. But Farley said compensation alone cannot resolve the issue without an adequate talent pipeline.
Garrity agreed, noting, “There’s a different level of skill that’s needed, and frankly, we don’t have the pipeline of workers that are coming ready with those skills.”
Trade programs have seen enrollment rise 16% in the past year, offering some relief. But Farley’s message to policymakers and employers is clear, that without more investment in training, companies will continue to face widening gaps in critical roles.
