The United States faces a critical labor shortage in both the naval and semiconductor industries, with an urgent need to fill 250,000 naval jobs and 146,000 semiconductor positions by 2030 to maintain its global competitive edge against China. This workforce shortage threatens national security and economic dominance, with both sectors requiring skilled labor for advanced manufacturing and technological advancement.
Navy Secretary John Phelan emphasized the importance of retraining workers to operate advanced machinery and equipment, stating,