Aging workforce, immigration crackdown are depleting skilled workers

By: Tim Henderson

Outlets: Stateline

Published: October 8, 2026

Words: 1,513

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago

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A perfect storm of harsh immigration enforcement, aging journeymen and a building boom for data centers is wreaking havoc on the nation’s supply of skilled trade workers.

Automakers and construction contractors say they need more access to workers through accelerated training, steady immigration and a cultural shift to encourage young people to do the hard, dirty work of skilled trades. They’re looking for plumbers, electricians, carpenters, machinists and technicians — specializations increasingly …

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