The skills crisis, in the headlines
America's skilled-trades shortage is front-page news — and the country's most prominent business leaders are calling for exactly what Ultra4Next does. Coverage compiled by Ultra4Next, updated July 2026. Articles open on the publisher's site.
Nvidia CEO Huang says 'a lot' of six-figure jobs in plumbing and construction will be unlocked because someone needs to build all these new AI centers
Jensen Huang (Nvidia CEO)
Nvidia's Huang, top leaders back skilled trades as AI takes office jobs
Jensen Huang and other executives
The Real Talent Shortage Isn't Degrees — It's Pathways
Nicholas Wyman (CEO, Institute for Workforce Skills & Innovation)
BlackRock is splashing $100 million on training plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians as its CEO flags a skilled trade worker shortage
Larry Fink (BlackRock CEO)
BlackRock Launches $100M Skilled Trades Initiative
Larry Fink (BlackRock CEO)
BlackRock Invests $100 Million in Training Programs as Larry Fink Warns of Looming Skilled Trade Shortage
Larry Fink (BlackRock CEO)
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warns AI is creating a 'crisis' for Gen Z workers: the class of 2026 could face the highest unemployment in years
Larry Fink (BlackRock CEO)
TV host Mike Rowe slams schools for portraying skilled trades as a 'consolation prize' — when he's met data center electricians making up to $280,000 a year
Mike Rowe (mikeroweWORKS Foundation)
Ford's Jim Farley has been warning that America's ignoring the 'essential economy' while AI eats jobs. Goldman Sachs has the receipts
Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
'Dirty Jobs' host Mike Rowe is giving away $10 million to get Gen Z into trades — and says the skills gap has never been worse
Mike Rowe (mikeroweWORKS Foundation)
America's 'silent army' of skilled trades workers is vanishing — and it's a $1 trillion crisis
JLL report; cites Jim Farley and Jensen Huang
Trade education can fix the labor market paradox
Opinion piece
Ford CEO says his Gen Z son is choosing hands-on work: 'He feels like that's more fulfilling than doing summer school at some fancy college'
Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
Jensen Huang's message to electricians and plumbers: 'This is your time,' as AI buildout leads to soaring demand for skilled trades
Jensen Huang (Nvidia CEO)
Skilled Trades Shortage Draws $365M in Corporate Pledges as Pell Grants Hit Vocational Programs
Lowe's, BlackRock, Google executives
America needs 3.8 million manufacturing workers. This CEO has a blueprint to find them
Mark Rayfield (CEO, Saint-Gobain North America)
How Mike Rowe's 'Build Freedom' Aims to Restore the Dignity of American Work
Mike Rowe (mikeroweWORKS Foundation)
Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Lack Of Skilled Workers A 'Huge Crisis'
Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
'The most vulnerable we've ever been' — Ford CEO warns blue-collar worker shortage could hit your wallet next
Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
Ford CEO Jim Farley says skilled labor shortage holds back 'made in America' ambitions
Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
Nvidia CEO tells college grads that electricians, plumbers and iron workers have a leg up — and there's no degree needed
Jensen Huang (Nvidia CEO)
'Practically every major industry is desperate': Mike Rowe throws his support to Meta as it offers paid training for guaranteed jobs in the trades
Mike Rowe; Meta
'Existential-alarm bell bad': Mike Rowe says there's an apocalyptic number of people not getting into the trades
Mike Rowe (mikeroweWORKS Foundation)
BlackRock CEO: The Smart Career Move in the AI Era Isn't an Office Job
Larry Fink (BlackRock CEO)
Career and Technical Education Sector Update Q2-2026
Sector analysis
Bridging the skills gap: A solution for US industry
Opinion piece