US Skilled Trades Face 1.7 Million Annual Job Openings
The Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades reports a critical labor shortage with 1.7 million annual openings projected through 2035 amid an aging workforce.
A national report from the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, co-published by Jobs for the Future and The Burning Glass Institute, projects that 1.7 million skilled-trade openings will emerge annually through 2035. This demand is driven by housing developments, power grid expansion, and the construction of AI data centers, with the highest pressure currently felt in Florida and Arizona.
The industry faces a severe demographic imbalance, as nearly 25% of the workforce is aged 55 or older, while workers under 25 make up only 11%. This shortage is compounded by a pipeline failure where only 55 people are prepared for every 100 workers needed. Retention remains a primary hurdle, with fewer than half of those in apprenticeships or postsecondary programs completing their training.
Industry leaders are calling for a shift in societal perceptions. Ford CEO Jim Farley is advocating against the perceived superiority of four-year degrees, particularly as AI creates uncertainty for white-collar roles. While some workers are moving into trades to avoid AI displacement, others cite grueling working conditions as a deterrent. Research from the Ad Council Research Institute indicates a persistent navigation gap, with only 9% of teens considering trades for post-graduate careers.
