America Is Building Factories Again. But Who Will Work in Them?

America’s drive to compete with China in manufacturing requires a lot more skilled workers.
Here’s how Tennessee’s offer of free technical schools - and its partnership with car manufacturers in the state - is starting to pay off.
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[@madinkan]

As a former industrial electrician and now an electrical engineer, I am happy and proud to see this. We need more of this here in America.

[@abrakadaver7495]

German here. Like a lot of people right now we actually have the feeling that the world is getting out of hand and that things here seem to slip in a wrong direction. That you mentioned Germany as a good example made me really happy. It made me realize that we are not sucking at everything. Thank you for that. Made my day

[@brownhat1290]

You can make a good living as a blue collar worker. Not everybody needs a college degree to become successful. The problem stems from the constant push to get kids into college with school counselors promoting the "Work smart, not hard" agenda as if working in a trade is something to be ashamed of.

[@trobinson14kc]

This is the American Business Standard: make the public sector pay for the privilege of hosting a business. It works in sports (taxpayers pay for stadiums, etc but can't afford a ticket to the game) and a multitude of other industries that receive public funding both directly and indirectly including in the example of this video, publicly paid worker training. Since Germany is alluded to as a prelude, let's look at the other half of the equation. The German state heavily subsidizes businesses but also collects corporate taxes that would be considered outrageous by American standards. Furthermore, German businesses are not permitted to simply pull up stakes and ships factories overseas, nor are they allowed to oppose unions. They are required to put employees first and business opportunities second. Overpaid executives are a rarity. Frankly, I am becoming sickened by the business and opportunity crowd demolishing all cooperative institutions on the altar of profit.

[@g4do]

Pay a liveable wage and finding qualified quality employees will be easy. Keep paying below what could sustain a household in today's market and you'll continue to get overwhelmed, overworked candidates. Working 2-3 jobs is common now , and there are a lot of people living in their vehicles just so they can save money.

[@ALiberalVeteran]

I work in a semiconductor factory, and most of us do on the job training, the programing and electrical engineers need nothing more than a certification or associates degree. And these are microchips for vehicles and medicals things. So you dont neccescarly need skilled workers, you need people who will show up to work.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Skilled hands-on jobs are under-supplied, while office jobs are over-demanded

[@bradbel]

THIS is the future of small town America! More tech schools feeding small industrial. Let's go USA!

[@user-gy2zj9zk2p]

This is smart really smart. What kept me from getting where i wanted to go 30 years ago was cost to attend and be able to survive. All manufacturing industries should back and encourage this.

[@sello.Ishmael84]

I wish we had institutions like these in South Africa. Places where even older adults can go learn a new skill.

[@fuffthebucks7266]

This is great. We need this everywhere

[@75blackviking]

I've worked in industrial maintenance and engineering for 30+ years. Was beginning to think I was one of the last. Still kinda do. We need to focus on vocational training and get wages to where they're attractive to capable people.

[@djm2189]

College isn't meant for everyone and the trades are where it's at! Many people get useless degrees and huge loans, I know plenty of people like that. I got my engineering degree and now I'm 28, earn $115k, no debt, and work fully remote! But how many can be and excel as engineers? I've let many of my cousins know the trap that is college and to be realistic with their ability and willingness. If it's not a fit then I push them to the trades, military, or civil service. No need to work in an office if you're barely making more than min wage.

[@DigSamurai]

In 1980 my high school, H B Beal looked exactly like the technical college in this piece. We even had a TV studio. Then a couple decades later they tore out all of the machine shops, mechanics and electronics. What a catastrophically bad idea that was.

[@rolandoleiva4137]

Wonderful 🤟

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

There are lots of so called white collar jobs that really could be apprenticeships…long apprenticeships but still done without the need for going through a university filter…nursing and medicine for example could be honestly done through an apprenticeship…yes…a long one but they are more technical and hands on…that’s what a residency is after all…an apprenticeship…all medical fields could be done that way…my only concern is that if all education is strictly tuned to a specific employer, what happens when that employer goes out of business then? It needs to be a skill more general than that, so students can start their own businesses if they choose…apart from that…this is one of the best answers clearly…

[@narendrakrane]

We need more of these.

[@GeorgeDonnelly]

This is awesome. It's overdue for manufacturing to return to the US.

[@andyhughes1776]

The most stable and prosperous society is the one with 80% of the people working various skilled manufacturing jobs.

[@TreDogOfficial]

That's a great concept! Truly 'entry level'