From CNBC:

Ample, a Bay Area EV battery company, is struggling to find skilled workers to meet its growth goals, looking to double its manufacturing workforce by the end of the year. The company is working with brands like Daimler and Stellantis to swap depleted EV batteries with fully charged ones. In response, Ample is running apprenticeship partnerships with several colleges to fill the gap. Manufacturing jobs in the U.S. have seen a slowdown, with only 12,000 net jobs added in 2023 and 601,000 open positions in December. The sector is projected to have a challenging year as companies struggle to staff adequately in a tighter job market, according to a Deloitte industry outlook.

Construction hiring has picked up, with the sector adding an average of 16,000 jobs per month in 2023. Manufacturing-related construction jobs have also been growing. However, the construction industry is facing a shortage and will need to bring on an estimated 501,000 additional workers in 2024. Smaller employers are likely feeling the trades hiring crunch in a significant way, with quality of labor ranking among the top three concerns for many small business owners. To ease hiring issues, companies are aiming to bring on younger workers and train them to work in manufacturing and construction. This includes high schools, with courses designed to prepare students for careers in the construction industry.



Read more: Manufacturing and construction sectors are hiring