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America is running short on skilled workers.
That’s a message skilled-trades advocate Mike Rowe has embraced for years. And speaking with Fox News host Laura Ingraham (1), Rowe said the labor shortage extends far beyond Silicon Valley — a location that’s filled with lots of engineering jobs, yes, but also a growing need for skilled workers.
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Rowe says that, for example, U.S. military shipbuilding and commercial projects (2) are competing for the exact same pool of skilled labor as hotspots driving the latest innovations in artificial intelligence.
“The Pentagon needs 400,000 welders and electricians just for submarine contracts over the next seven or eight years,” Rowe said. “It’s mind-boggling — and they’re all competing for your kid.”
But he added, “Today, of course, it’s Google and Meta and anybody who’s trying to build one of those things — a data center,” he said, adding, “That’s completely transformed the demands on the workforce.”
Rowe’s comments echo sentiments of others in the field worried about the compounding shortages.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (3) estimates that the U.S. construction industry alone faces a shortage of roughly 350,000 workers this year, while the National Center for Construction Education and Research expects a shortfall of over 1 million workers by 2030 (4) as workers retire.
Computing abilities of AI require brick-and-mortar infrastructure
Much of the excitement surrounding artificial intelligence focuses on companies developing chips, software and large language models.
But AI also requires an enormous amount of physical infrastructure.
Every new data center needs electricians to install high-voltage electrical systems, HVAC technicians to build cooling systems, welders and steelworkers to help construct facilities and skilled tradespeople to maintain them once they’re operational.
Additionally, Big Tech isn’t just spending on software anymore.
According to the Financial Times, major technology companies are planning to spend a combined $725 billion on AI infrastructure. And companies including Meta have launched workforce initiatives to train more skilled tradespeople to build and maintain data centers.
For investors, that could create opportunities well beyond the companies developing AI software.
Businesses involved in industrial equipment, electrical components, construction materials, engineering services and infrastructure development could all benefit if AI-related spending continues long-term.
To help separate opportunities from losses, some investors turn to research for guidance. But not everyone has the time or understanding to make sense of it alone.
Moby offers expert research and recommendations designed to help investors uncover long-term opportunities backed by analysis from former hedge fund professionals.
Over the past four years and across nearly 400 stock picks, Moby says its recommendations have outperformed the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. The service also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Its team spends hundreds of hours analyzing financial data, market trends and company fundamentals to deliver easy-to-understand stock and cryptocurrency research directly to you.
Whether you’re looking to better understand AI infrastructure, industrial companies or broader market trends, Moby can make you a smarter investor in just minutes.
Skilled trades may become increasingly valuable
The shortage also has implications for workers.
For decades, four-year college degrees were often presented as the primary path to a stable career. Today, many employers are struggling to fill skilled trade positions despite offering competitive wages and apprenticeships.
Rowe has spent years advocating for careers in the trades, arguing that demand has consistently outpaced supply.
“If the Defense Department needs it, we need it,” Rowe said. “They’re all looking to hire the same young person who wants to learn a skill that’s in demand.”
As employers compete for qualified workers, many trades could continue seeing strong wage growth and job security. Experienced electricians (5), particularly those working industrial projects or specialized construction, can earn well into the six figures with overtime and certifications.
Higher earnings alone, however, don’t automatically translate into long-term wealth. Workers who begin investing early — even with relatively small, consistent contributions — can benefit from decades of compound growth.
Consider someone who invests $5 a day instead of spending it on coffee.
Assuming a 7% average annual return, those contributions could grow to more than $400,000 over 40 years, even though the investor contributed only about $73,000.
The beauty of ETF investing is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, an app that automatically invests your spare change.
Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes. Simply link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference into a diversified ETF portfolio.
With Acorns, you can start investing with as little as $5. If you sign up today, you’ll also get a $20 bonus to help kick-start your investment journey.
Defense spending can impact your investments
The dual boom comes as the U.S. government ramps up military modernization while commercial tech giants pour tens of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure (6) and sovereign computing power.
Those investments require significant capital and could support elevated government and private-sector spending for years.
But periods of sustained fiscal spending, geopolitical uncertainty and increased government borrowing often prompt investors to think more carefully about diversification.
While stocks have historically delivered strong long-term returns, some investors choose to complement their portfolios with assets such as physical gold during periods of heightened uncertainty or persistent inflation concerns, given its stability.
Goldco makes it easy to add physical gold and silver to your portfolio. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, they provide the resources you need — plus free shipping on purchases of $10,000 or more.
Goldco also offers a library of guides on navigating inflation, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. Plus, the company will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver.
Curious if precious metals fit your strategy? Download Goldco’s free gold and silver information guide to learn how to better diversify your portfolio.
Pin down the long-term trends
Artificial intelligence is reshaping construction, manufacturing, utilities and defense — industries that require millions of skilled workers and billions of dollars in investment.
Whether it’s technology, industrials, infrastructure, commodities or defense, determining how much exposure belongs in your portfolio depends on your financial goals, timeline and tolerance for risk.
If you’re unsure how these long-term trends fit into your investment strategy, speaking with a qualified financial advisor can help you build a diversified plan tailored to your needs.
If you have a portfolio of $250,000 or more, platforms like WiserAdvisor can connect you with vetted professionals who specialize in this kind of planning.
Simply answer a few questions about your savings, retirement timeline and overall investment portfolio.
From there, WiserAdvisor reviews its network to match you — for free — with up to three vetted, reputable advisors aligned with your specific needs.
You can then schedule no-obligation consultations with your matches to determine who is the best fit for your long-term goals.
WiserAdvisor is a matching service and does not provide financial advice directly. All matched advisors are third parties and specific financial results are not guaranteed.
Article Sources
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X (1); Amazon Web Services (2); American Broadcasting Company (3); Financial Times (4); ZipRecruiter (5); Morgan Stanley (6)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
