The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has launched TalentForce, a workforce development organization created to address skilled labor shortages across the corrosion and materials protection industries. The initiative responds to what AMPP describes as a convergence of factors—accelerating retirements, declining numbers of new entrants and evolving skill requirements—that are thinning the available workforce at a time when infrastructure demands are growing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. could face a shortfall of 1.7 million infrastructure workers by 2031. AMPP reported that more than 70% of employers in corrosion-intensive sectors already identify skills gaps within their organizations.

“The science of corrosion control and materials protection has never been stronger,” said Alan Thomas, chairman of TalentForce and CEO of AMPP. “But corrosion is no longer the industry's only enemy: The workforce shortage is the greatest threat in the future. We know what's coming and we know what it takes to fix it. TalentForce is how we act now — before workforce gaps become infrastructure crises.”

TalentForce will concentrate on increasing industry awareness among prospective workers, expanding apprenticeship and training programs, and building stronger connections among employers, educators and workforce development organizations. It will also support upskilling and reskilling efforts as technologies and standards evolve. All programming will be aligned with AMPP’s existing standards and credentialing frameworks to ensure workforce readiness across the sector.