As the United States continues to experience labor shortages in industries critical to the nation’s economic future, Alabama has emerged as a leader in meeting the need for highly skilled workers in critical fields such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy, and technology. That’s according to Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of America’s largest bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
“A prosperous job market is the foundation of a strong economy – and in Alabama, demand is high for skilled workers, especially those who can perform technical work in the industries that are vital for America’s security and local economic growth,” Dimon wrote in his recently published annual letter to JPMorgan shareholders.
As a close observer of economic conditions in America and throughout the world, Dimon also recently offered the opinion that the nation’s most immediate challenge is not a labor shortage, but rather a shortage of the skills needed to fill the jobs of the future. His comments are backed by the findings of a report from news site Axios, produced in partnership with JPMorgan.
By 2033, the report found, America’s manufacturing sector will need to fill an additional 3.8 million manufacturing jobs. But current gaps in education and training could result in half of those jobs remaining unfilled.
According to Axios, Alabama is a national leader in taking steps to head off that potential talent shortage.
“Alabama is uniquely positioned to grow the workforce and supplier base that America needs,” the report said. “With deep expertise in defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing — along with record investment and strategic assets — the state has the foundation needed to deliver meaningful impact.”
While singling out the ongoing growth of the Huntsville area, Axios hailed Alabama’s overall economic development numbers from 2025: 234 projects, representing nearly 9,400 new jobs and $14.5 million in capital investment.
The report pointed to Alabama’s small business community as another strength in building for the future. Over 99 percent of Alabama companies qualifying as small businesses, “fueling economic growth and serving as vital links to broader business supply chains,” it said.
While commending Alabama’s state government and business leadership for having “the infrastructure in place to support near-term results,” the report recommended three areas” where efforts should be focused to “sustain the momentum and broaden opportunity”:
Building employer talent collaboratives. Led by industry and workforce partners, collaboratives match employer needs with skill-building and credentials, creating learning, training, and employment opportunities aligned with in-demand roles.
Partnering with employers to grow apprenticeships and work-based learning. The report cited the Alabama Community College System Innovation Center and Alabama Industrial Development as examples of how the state is already providing “employer-aligned training statewide at no cost to learners.”
Connecting skills to opportunity. The key focus of this initiative is Alabama’s large community of military veterans. Calling veterans “a strong talent pool for precision manufacturing, cybersecurity, and engineering,” the report recommended steps to “move veterans into these roles quickly and strengthen employer pipelines.” The Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC) — created last year by Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature, with private and nonprofit supporters that include the Alabama Power Foundation — provides “a statewide hub for veteran job training, benefits navigation, and career transitions.”
Axios also noted the critical role of the Alabama Department of Workforce. Created in 2025, the department has quickly taken the lead in focusing the state’s efforts. The department “has the statewide infrastructure, credentialing systems, and apprenticeship support network to lead the way in workforce reintegration and skill-based hiring that helps create the conditions for these partnerships to succeed and scale.”
The report’s conclusion reiterated JPMorgan’s impressions of Alabama’s future prospects — as well as the commitment by the bank and CEO Dimon to remain engaged and supportive as the state continues its efforts to make the most of its future:
“JPMorgan Chase is committed to helping Alabama seize this moment, working alongside Alabama’s leaders to build the talent pipelines that will power U.S. security and economic leadership for years to come.”
