So to be fair there is a massive shortage in automation technicians in the US. That is a job that basically combines intermediate electronics, programming and mechanics along with all the skills of a mechanic. If you add more automated factories you would need more techs to keep them online.
It was more a pitch for trade schools from what I heard, which are currently underrated IMO. But we already don't have enough people in the trades so idk how theoretically increasing demand through these ridiculous tariffs will help.
I really think we need a more generous Pell Grant for trades. Even forgiveness. The late career ROI isn’t as good as higher ed so we need to figure out how to compensate.
Exactly. There is already a shortage. Because the dudes with the HS degrees aren’t doing this now. If they did they would have a job in a minute.
I will say that you can go to a trade school while holding a normal minimum wage job. It's not a lot of fun but it's definitely possible. It's a problem with motivation, not opportunity. Lots of these positions are actually filled by manufacturing operators who learned their stuff.