Ford CEO Sends Son to Work as Welder, Tackles Skilled Worker Shortage
Ford, the American automaker, is tackling the shortage of skilled workers through various initiatives. CEO Chris Farley, who once worked as a welder himself, has sent his son to learn practical skills on the job. Meanwhile, Ford has exited the Russian market and is investing in related sectors to address the labor gap.
Ford's CEO summits and sector investments aim to address the shortage of skilled workers. The company is also expanding training workshops and increasing apprenticeship quotas. Labor unions demand more staffing and reduced working hours with full wage compensation. Ford's Romanian plant uses collaborative robots (cobots) to support manual workers by automating repetitive tasks.
Chris Farley, Ford's CEO, believes in the value of practical skills. He sent his 17-year-old son James to work as a welder for the summer. Farley hopes his son's experience challenges the trend of overvaluing elite university graduates and undervaluing skilled workers. The U.S. needs over 100,000 new auto mechanics per year to meet demand and replace retiring workers.
Ford's multi-faceted approach to addressing the skilled worker shortage involves labor advocacy, technological innovation, and practical experience. By investing in related sectors and promoting the value of skilled workers, Ford is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for auto mechanics and other skilled professionals.
