America’s skilled trades labor shortage just got a powerful new ally. Business Roundtable, the influential association of leading U.S. CEOs, has launched a major initiative to close widening talent gaps in trades like welding, HVAC, electrical, and construction. Co-led by Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison and Carrier Global CEO David Gitlin, the Skilled Trades Initiative aims to expand the workforce pipeline for jobs that keep the nation’s infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy sectors running.
The announcement, made at the Business Roundtable’s CEO Workforce Forum, highlights an urgent challenge: for every new skilled trade worker entering the market, there are 20 job openings waiting. That’s not a gap—it’s a canyon.
Why It Matters
In an age of AI and automation hype, this initiative serves as a pointed reminder that not all jobs can be digitized. “While technology continues to evolve, it cannot replace plumbers, electricians, construction workers, maintenance and repair pros, or other tradespeople,” said Ellison. “Investing in skilled trades is vital to address America’s workforce shortage.”
With major infrastructure bills and manufacturing investments flowing through the economy, demand for hands-on talent has surged—but supply hasn’t kept pace. Gitlin was equally direct: “We don’t want to compete for the same limited talent pool. We want to make real progress in closing talent gaps.”
That tone marks a shift in how corporate America is approaching workforce development: not as a competition, but as a collaboration. And for a country eyeing long-term industrial growth, that could be a game changer.
What’s New
Unlike previous one-off workforce pledges, this initiative isn’t just signaling concern—it’s building infrastructure. The Skilled Trades Initiative will offer:
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Forums for peer learning, spotlighting best practices from member companies and external partners (think: community colleges and vocational training centers).
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Toolkits to help companies engage with K–12 education and build localized talent pipelines.
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Cross-industry workgroups to standardize skills taxonomies and career pathways across trades.
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Partnerships with professional associations known for strong training programs and proven employer collaboration.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, the initiative is focused on scaling what already works—across more than 150 Business Roundtable companies that collectively employ millions nationwide.
Strategic Scope
The focus spans multiple high-demand sectors:
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Industrial/Manufacturing: Welders, machinists, tool-and-die makers, mechatronics techs.
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Construction/Building: Electricians, plumbers, masons, carpenters.
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Maintenance/Repair: HVAC techs, engine repair specialists, facilities maintenance pros.
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Energy: Lineworkers, solar installers, transmission techs.
These aren’t fringe roles—they’re the muscle of the modern economy. Yet many of them face chronic under-enrollment in training programs and a persistent PR problem: younger workers often overlook these stable, high-paying career paths.
The Broader Picture
Business Roundtable’s move aligns with a growing chorus of concern around U.S. workforce readiness. From the White House to the shop floor, there’s recognition that reskilling alone won’t solve the talent crisis—we also need to fill pipelines earlier and smarter.
Compare this to similar moves from rivals like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or National Association of Manufacturers, and you’ll see a trend: big business is no longer outsourcing workforce development to the government or academia. They’re doing it themselves—and doing it together.
For years, the skilled trades have existed in the shadow of white-collar work and tech-sector glamour. This initiative flips the script. In an era obsessed with digital transformation, Business Roundtable is making a clear bet: the future still runs on people who build, fix, wire, weld, and power the real world.
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