America needs 3.8 million manufacturing workers. This CEO has a blueprint to find them

We talk a lot about the “American Dream,” but we do not talk enough about the grit and determination required to build it. As we mark 250 years of American history, our attention is naturally drawn to the history books, the policy debates, and the blueprints of our past. Yet the real engine of our progress has always lived with the people — especially those on shop floors and construction sites. The story of America is a story of industry, technical skill, and relentless optimism for what the future holds. To secure the next 250 years of growth, we must inspire the next generation of manufacturers, contractors, engineers, and innovators to help us construct a more resilient and sustainable future. After three decades in manufacturing, my view on this is simple: we celebrate the headline-grabbing ideas, but we overlook the massive human effort required to scale them. True innovation does not end with a patent or a blueprint — it becomes reality when the manufacturing workforce figures out how to produce those ideas at scale. Today’s digital transformation does not exist in the cloud. It is brought to life on production floors across the country. From the drywall, insulation, and ceiling panels that create quiet, comfortable spaces in university buildings — every component is researched, designed, manufactured, and installed by people. Our manufacturing workforce is the essential foundation upon which the next era of American growth is being built. The Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore The macro reality is clear: we are facing a workforce crisis that does not get nearly enough attention. The U.S. will need to fill 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade, according to a Deloitte and Manufacturing Institute study. Yet half, some 1.9 million roles, could go unfulfilled. At a time when the United States is investing historic sums in reshoring production, rebuilding infrastructure, and accelerating the energy transition, leaving the workforce gap