Vincennes University President details structural skills gap in U.S. manufacturing

Chuck Johnson was appointed President of Vincennes University on October 12, 2026. In a report, Johnson noted that U.S. manufacturing will require up to 3.8 million additional workers by 2033. He argued that the primary challenge facing modern industry is a shortage of specific, rapidly changing technical and digital skills, rather than simply a lack of workers.

The report highlights that domestic manufacturing construction spending has nearly tripled since mid-2020, driven by planned clean technology and semiconductor facilities. Johnson cited that while 52% of U.S. jobs require skill training beyond high school, only 43% of workers currently have access to it, pointing to a structural labor deficit.