High-Paying Jobs or Contract Laying in Plain Site?
Headlines about the job market haven’t exactly been uplifting in 2025. With wage growth stagnating, layoffs in big tech becoming routine, and fears of an economic slowdown lurking, many may feel disillusioned. Yet, there’s a less-publicized story to tell. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently shed some light on a peculiar twist in the labor market. High-paying jobs that remain vacant simply because the skilled workers to fill them aren’t coming through the door.
This is our takeaway on why this is important for small businesses wanting government contracts.
Who has 2nd largest vehicle contract with the federal government? Ford, who won an $8.6 billion contract to supply model year 2022 light-duty vehicles to the U.S. General Services Administration.
In a recent episode of the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast in Dearborn, Michigan. Farley emphasized the continuing availability of lucrative roles within the mechanics field. He pointed out that Ford currently has around 5,000 job openings for mechanics, offering salaries up to $120,000 a year. “These jobs are out there… It takes training, yes, but it’s worthwhile,” he stated. In a world where the average full-time worker earns about $62,192 yearly according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this number is not only eye-catching but also points to an inconsistency in the job market.
Ford won an $8.6 billion contract with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to supply model year 2022 light-duty vehicles, including fossil-fuel and zero-emission models like sedans, SUVs, and trucks. This contract is a part of the GSA Vehicle Buying – 2022 Light Vehicles (AutoChoice) program and allows federal agencies to purchase various light-duty vehicles through a multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.
Why Aren’t Workers Seizing These Opportunities?
The puzzle pieces start to come together when we look at the reason many of these jobs remain unfilled. Farley believes there’s a profound lack of training and educational resources available for skilled trades. He noted, “We have over a million openings in critical jobs…emergency services, trucking, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, and tradesmen. We do not have enough trade schools.”
This situation raises significant concerns, particularly as many workers face mounting financial pressures. The rising cost of living is squeezing households; studies reveal an increasing percentage of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. Consequently, the prospect of pursuing traditionally stable jobs while juggling financial obligations creates an uphill battle for many.
Suggestions for SMBs: Could a Shift to Skilled Trades Diversify Your Workforce?
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), especially those contracted with the U.S. government or interested in such partnerships, acknowledging this labor market shift can provide a tactical advantage. If you’re a service provider to the government, consider the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) routes. Our organization offers significant support in navigating government contracting opportunities, which could include hiring skilled laborers from trade schools or veterans transitioning into new careers. Check out our resources:
Escalating your focus on skilled trades can also be a strategic move that opens up higher earnings potential for your business and provides pathways for job seekers who have been overlooked. A growing number of young people are opting for trade careers instead of four-year college degrees, as evidenced by a 4.9% increase in trade school enrollment between 2020 and 2023. The landscape is shifting, and as a business, you could be at the forefront of that change.
Highlighting Diverse Pathways in Business
The benefits of engaging skilled trades directly connect to supporting diverse backgrounds, including veterans, women, and minority-owned businesses. Your business growth can stem from programs designed to enhance diversity in the workforce and qualify for various government incentives and benefits. In fact, it’s essential to understand the broader implications of hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, as it can open up new perspectives and innovations in your business.
For instance, not only do HUBZone businesses promote economic prosperity in historically underutilized areas, but they also provide opportunities to engage with a more diverse clientele. Our services outline how to navigate these potential contracts:
Focusing on Your Business Financial Health
In these unpredictable economic times, don’t underestimate the potential impact of high-paying government contracts on your small to medium-sized business. Programs exist to support these pathways, and our resources can provide you with a roadmap on how to successfully navigate them.
Ultimately, recognizing and adapting to the labor shortages in skilled trades can provide you with a unique growth trajectory. By strategically aligning with government contracting opportunities while supporting diverse initiatives, you not only bolster your business’s financial well-being but also contribute positively to the economy by helping to fill the widening gap of unfilled high-paying jobs.
Let us help you capitalize on these opportunities. Reach out to understand how Select GCR can assist your business in winning lucrative government contracts and connecting with skilled labor to sustain and grow your operations.
Sources:
- Office Hours: Business Edition – Free Press
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
