Alliance for America's Skilled Trades Expands with New Companies, Unveils New Research - The State of America’s Skilled Trades: A National Report

Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company

“No single company can close the skilled trades gap alone. Training just 55 workers for every 100 needed puts economic growth at risk and leaves people without a clear path to a good career. These careers deserve respect. Employers, educators and policymakers must work together to help people get the training, support and jobs they need to succeed.”

John Stankey, Chairman and CEO, AT&T

“We can provide careers in the skilled trades, not just fill jobs. Through apprenticeships, technical training and skills-based career pathways, we can create fulfilling and sustainable career journeys for those better suited to an alternative path from a college degree. With over $500M invested in employee on-the-job training, AT&T has already shown that families and communities can thrive with this model.”

Ryan Maibach, President & CEO, Barton Malow

“For more than 100 years, Barton Malow has seen firsthand the skill, innovation, leadership, and problem-solving capabilities that come from the skilled trades. These careers are essential to our industry and to America’s ability to build, innovate, and compete. We are proud to join the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades and invest in the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”

Max Langenkamp, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Cintas Corporation

“At Cintas, we believe that supporting the skilled trades means creating clear paths for people to build technical skills, experience and the confidence needed for long, successful careers. Through our Fire Apprentice and Maintenance Apprentice Programs, we provide hands-on experience, structured courses, mentor-mentee relationships and real-world opportunities. These programs reflect our broader commitment to training and career development across Cintas. We are proud to share the commitment to creating awareness and expanding access to meaningful careers in the skilled trades.”

Dan Peyovich, President and CEO, Dycom

“At Dycom, we’re seeing first-hand the generational buildout of critical infrastructure that is underway. It will be built by people who are trained and equipped with the skills needed to advance the engineering, construction, and service and maintenance work that connects us and keeps our country running. It’s time to collectively elevate our focus on the skilled trades and invest in today’s workforce to build tomorrow’s infrastructure.”

Kirk Tanner, President & CEO, The Hershey Company

“Behind every snack someone loves is a person who knows how to make it. Skilled trades are the foundation of how we reach more people in more of the ways they want to snack. We hire nearly 2,500 manufacturing team members every year, and by expanding our commitment through the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, we can open the door to more careers that keep those favorites coming.”

Raj Namboothiry, Senior Vice President, Manpower North America

“The future of America’s manufacturing, semiconductor, energy, mobility, and infrastructure sectors depends on our ability to build strong, sustainable pipelines of skilled talent. Meeting the workforce demands of these next-generation industries requires collaboration across employers, educational institutions, workforce development organizations, community leaders, and government partners. Together, we can increase awareness of skilled trades careers, expand access to training opportunities, and equip the next generation with the capabilities needed to power our economy. ManpowerGroup North America is proud to support the Alliance’s mission and invest in the future of skilled trades professionals.”

Dina Powell McCormick, President and Vice Chairman, Meta

“We're proud to join the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades. America needs hundreds of thousands of electricians, welders and fiber technicians to build AI infrastructure, and through America’s Workforce Academy, we’re paying for the training, removing the barriers that keep people from stepping into these careers, and guaranteeing a job at the end of it. Together we can expand that work so that the future we’re building is for everyone.”

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft

“A strong economy requires a skilled workforce. From data centers to advanced manufacturing, America’s future will be built by the men and women with the expertise and training to make it possible. That’s why we’re supporting the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades to expand access to careers in the trades.”

Shane Moll, Group President, Milwaukee Tool

“Milwaukee Tool has built our business around the skilled trades. Our commitment goes beyond the products we develop. It includes investing in the people, training, and partnerships that will strengthen America’s skilled trades for generations to come. Joining the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades is a natural extension of who we are and what we believe.”

Chris Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Black & Decker

“For more than 100 years, DEWALT has stood behind the skilled trades that build and sustain America, and we are proud to join BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford, and Google in a shared commitment to strengthening America’s skilled workforce through the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades. We see every day the impact of a constrained skilled labor pipeline — not just for our industry, but for the broader U.S. economy. That trajectory is not sustainable if America is to build the industries, infrastructure, and competitive strength needed to lead globally. By joining this alliance, we will amplify the impact of DEWALT’s $60 million Grow the Trades investment and help build a stronger, more resilient skilled workforce America will rely on for generations.”

Dan Schulman, Chief Executive Officer, Verizon

“As a nation, we are facing fundamental shifts in the shape of our workforce. Companies have a responsibility to invest in people with the same urgency they invest in new technology. No single company can address the growing skills gap alone. It requires cross-industry collaboration and a meaningful public-private effort to reskill and prepare our workforce for a rapidly changing future. Joining the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades reinforces the strength of a collaborative approach to preparing workers for what comes next. As we join this partnership, our commitment is to help people to build the adaptable skills needed to thrive in our evolving economy.”

Ryan McNamara, Vice President of Operations, Waymo

“Waymo’s fleet is backed by the people who build our infrastructure, maintain our vehicles, and assemble our Waymo Driver here in America. Skilled trades are the lifeblood of delivering a safe, seamless ride experience to every community Waymo serves. We’re investing in technical education opportunities and skilled trades jobs across America as we expand our service. We’re proud to join the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades to open the door to even more stable, high-quality careers for people across the country, and develop the pipeline of talent we need to keep America moving safely.”