H-1B Visa: The decision to increase H-1B visa fees is leading to a severe shortage of skilled workers in the US. According to Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley, the company is having difficulty recruiting for 5,000 mechanic positions, despite offering salaries twice the average. The Trump administration’s strict visa policy has had a major impact on the US labor market, increasing pressure on corporate operations.
H-1B Visa: The impact of US President Donald Trump’s increase in H-1B visa fees is already being felt in his own country. The increase in H-1B visa fees has led to a shortage of skilled workers in the US. As a result, American automotive company Ford Motor is struggling to find high-paying skilled workers. It is struggling to fill 5,000 vacant positions for high-paying skilled workers.
Severe Skilled Worker Shortage in the US
According to a report by the English-language website Money Control, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently stated that the US is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers. The automaker is struggling to fill 5,000 mechanic positions despite offering salaries of up to $120,000 (approximately Rs. 1 crore), which is nearly double the average American salary. Farley made this comment on the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast, calling the situation a “warning.”
Over 1 million vacancies in the US
Jim Fairley told host Monica Langley that the problem extends beyond Ford. He said, “We have over 1 million vacancies in critical jobs. These include emergency services, trucking, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, and craftsmen. This is a very serious matter.”
Lack of Education and Training
Elaborating on the time it takes to train employees, Ford’s CEO said that it takes at least five years to learn to remove a diesel engine from a Ford Super Duty truck. He blamed this problem on a lack of education and training. He further stated that the current system is not meeting standards.
The Next Generation Is Not Being Educated
Forley said that mechanical jobs like the one at Ford made America “what it is today” and allowed people like his grandfather, who was employee number 389 at the company, to live a good life. He said, “We are not investing in educating the next generation of people like my grandfather, who had nothing. He created a middle-class life and a future for his family.”
Trump Administration Tightens Visa Rules
The Ford CEO’s comments come at a time when US President Donald Trump has also acknowledged the need to bring skilled workers into the country. However, the Trump administration has tightened visa regulations, making it difficult for organizations seeking such workers.
Trump Administration Increases H-1B Visa Fees
This comes just months after his administration imposed a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, a program that major US companies, especially those in the technology sector, rely heavily on to hire foreign talent.
What Trump Says
In an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday, Donald Trump was asked whether H-1B visas would remain a priority. Ingraham argued that the program could conflict with her efforts to increase domestic wages. Trump said, “You also have to bring in talent.” When Ingraham said that the US already has “plenty of talented people,” Trump replied, “No, you don’t have to.” He added, “You don’t have to have a unique talent, and you have to learn. People have to learn. You can’t put people in the unemployment line and say, ‘I’ll put you in a factory. We’ll make missiles.'”
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