4 Ways to Tackle the Workforce Crisis

By Scott M. Shaw On Jun 16, 2025

The burgeoning retirements of baby boomers have left gaping holes across every sector of the US workforce, and their exodus has had a massive impact in the middle-skills workforce. Industries like manufacturing, construction, transportation and healthcare have been particularly hard hit in recent years. But even before boomers began to retire, there had been low rumblings of a changing workforce. There may not be a direct causal relationship between the de-emphasis of training in the trades and the erosion of the middle class, but the two are certainly interrelated. 

In summary, the government needs to invest more financially in promoting the trades and leverage platforms to remind kids and their parents that the trades offer personally and financially rewarding career opportunities. In addition, it’s incumbent upon those of us at educational institutions and in businesses to follow their lead. We need to take every opportunity to promote the benefits of a trades school education.

That said, we cannot move slowly to solve the middle-skills crisis. If we are willing to unite efforts across our educational, governmental and business sectors, we can close the gap and build a bridge to the middle class for a new generation of workers. A few steps we can take include:

CTE Programs in High School

The sooner – and younger – we start to revitalize middle skills the better. That means bringing back Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools. Fortunately, many states have already begun. More than 25 states have increased their CTE funding. But while more than 12 million learners participate in CTE programs, state investment in the programs represents only a small fraction of their budgets.

Partnerships Between Business and Education

A robust partnership between educational institutions and businesses can also change the narrative. At Lincoln Tech, we build the curriculum for our programs to specifically suit the needs of the industries our graduates will enter. At least once a year, we have employers come in and critique what we offer. They connect what we offer with what’s happening in their sector and the economy.

Public Relations for the Trades

A PR push for the trades is underway. Prospective trade school students are exploring potential careers online and learning directly from the people in the careers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. They are sending the message that the trades represent a shorter, cheaper, and faster way to get into the workforce, make a living, and build a life.

Invest in the Trades

And of course, money matters. The government needs to invest in workforce development. Businesses need to be willing to provide – and pay for – training. They can offer signing bonuses or tuition reimbursement for students who enter apprenticeships or who want to advance in their chosen trade. And schools can offer scholarships to reduce financial barriers to enrollment. 

About the Author: Scott M. Shaw is president and CEO of Lincoln Technical Institute.

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