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What will it take to get more Black and Latinx workers in manufacturing jobs?

Aug 26, 2021
Manufacturers complain they can't find skilled workers, even as they face a wave of retirements of older white men.
Nieves Longordo, president and owner of Diseños Ornamental Iron in Detroit's Mexicantown, said she's concerned about finding and recruiting younger talent for her shop.
Photo courtesy of Nieves Longordo

How much is the U.S. investing in apprenticeship programs?

The infrastructure bill that recently passed in the Senate highlights a disturbing and long-neglected shortage in apprenticeship investments.
While the U.S. invests a lot of money in public higher education, investments in employment training are comparatively slim.
andresr via Getty Images

Training program drives more women to become auto mechanics

Feb 9, 2021
One Tennessee high school is persevering with its automotive program, even during the pandemic
According to the U.S. Labor Department, under 2% of auto mechanics are women.
Fred Dufour/AFP via Getty Images

Home Depot takes a shot at tackling the construction labor shortage

Apr 30, 2018
Home Depot is investing $50 million into residential construction apprenticeships, but that still won't address the labor shortage.
Students at Fort Stewart will be prepared for residential construction jobs after a 12-week apprenticeship with the Home Builders Institute, sponsored by the Home Depot Foundation.
Renata Sago/Marketplace

Georgia embraces Germany’s apprenticeship model

Jan 26, 2018
Manufacturers are worried they will not have enough skilled workers in the future, so they have started to create apprenticeship programs to train high school students.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College received funding to open a new Advanced Manufacturing Center in Covington. It includes five labs for training in machine tools, electronics, mechanics, automation and process control, as well as industrial wiring and motor controls.
Tasnim Shamma/ for Marketplace

Blue-collar jobs that pay 6 figures are going unfilled

Jul 3, 2017
'This is an avenue for even some folks with college degrees.'
“There are a lot of people with college degrees now competing for some of the most competitive jobs out there, and some of them are ending up applying for jobs at 84 Lumber,” Prashant Gopal says.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Baby boomers retrain in sought-after skills

Feb 27, 2017
About half of jobs today require more than a high school diploma, but less than a college degree.
Joe Snyder, 56, recently graduated from a precision machining technology program at Berks Career and Technology Center near Reading, Pennsylvania.
Amy Scott/Marketplace

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Here’s why vocational training is in high demand

Feb 23, 2017
With technical skills in demand, vocational programs try to shake old stereotype.
Tim DeAcosta, 17, studies precision machining at Berks Career and Technology Center near Reading, Pa.
Amy Scott/Marketplace

A program that mixes academics with vocational training

Mar 24, 2016
Vocational training has changed, and is luring academically-oriented students
:  Jordan Decker is studying HVAC at Carroll County College and Career Academy.  
Molly Samuel

Stopping German students in their tracks?

Apr 8, 2015
Germany's controversial sorting system determines early on who goes to college.