Back in November 2025, Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley lamented that the automaker couldn’t find enough skilled mechanics to run the manufacturing plant. At the time, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ford couldn’t fill 5,000 mechanic jobs that pay $120k a year. 

Farley and Ford were back in the news last month — once again talking about how to fix the technician gap. Each morning Farley checks the same number — how big is the nationwide mechanic shortage at Ford dealerships? According to a June 8 WSJ article that number has hovered around 5,000. 

According to reports, big companies like Ford and philanthropies are stepping up to boost programs to get more people into the trades — a boost to the tune of $400 million. 

As it relates to Ford, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched a $90 million program aimed at getting high schoolers into the trades. That includes a partnership with Ford in Detroit with each side contributing $2.5 million, some of which will go toward building new auto-repair bays at schools. According to The Business Model Analyst, the goal is to train 300 auto mechanics over 3 years who can walk right into Ford dealership jobs after graduation. 

Others are getting in on the action, too. The Business Model Analyst reports: 

“Lowe’s Foundation has pledged $250 million to revitalize the trades, targeting 250,000 trained workers by 2035 through new instructors, rural mobile classrooms, and even a three-part TV series spotlighting trade careers. BlackRock Foundation committed $100 million, including a Texas push to train roughly 12,000 electricians over three years as data centers pop up there. And the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is reserving 75 apprenticeship slots for high schoolers from the Bloomberg program, expecting 60 enrollees in summer boot camps.”

While none of these moves directly impact ag equipment dealers or manufacturers — who as we all know are suffering the same workforce dilemma — the attention to trade programs is certainly a good thing. It leaves me wondering: Rising tide lifts all ships but will there be enough oxygen left in the room for diesel mechanics? What do you think?

We’re working on our second Careers in Ag Report, which will be featured in the October/November issue of the magazine. This year we’ll be focusing on technicians. From your seat at the dealership, what is it that students, parents or those looking to change careers most need to know about the opportunities and benefits that exist for a farm equipment service technician?

Related Content:

• Labor Crisis Woes — Ford CEO Spotlights Skilled Trades Deficit