Ford-Led Skilled Trades Coalition Warns of 1.7 Million Annual Vacancies Through 2035

A training gap in America’s skilled trades is threatening to slow automotive manufacturing and dealership service, according to research from the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades. The Ford-founded group estimates that roughly 1.7 million skilled trades roles will sit unfilled each year through 2035, while training programs graduate only about 55 workers for every 100 positions that need filling.

The alliance’s report spans 124 occupations in all 50 states, revealing that completion rates hover near 50% overall — far below the 90%-plus completion typical of well-run apprenticeship schemes. Cost, transportation, childcare, and the need to keep earning while studying all contribute to dropout rates, according to the findings. Industrial machinery mechanics are expected to expand at five times the rate of overall employment, and Texas alone is projected to need 86,000 automotive mechanics by 2034.

Founded in July 2026 by Ford alongside BlackRock, Carhartt, and Google, the coalition has since grown by 14 additional members, including Waymo, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta. For automakers, a shortage of mechanics and maintenance technicians directly affects plant uptime and service capacity at dealerships.

Ford CEO Jim Farley stressed that the issue cannot be solved by any one company. Producing just over half the workers required puts both economic growth and individual career prospects at risk, he said, adding that employers, educators, and policymakers must pool their efforts to give people access to training, support, and meaningful work.