Rebuilding America’s Skilled Trades Pipeline | CHRO Toshiba Jason Desentz

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For decades, we told people that college was the path to a good career while manufacturing jobs disappeared, apprenticeship programs faded, and the skilled trades became a path many families actively steered their kids away from.

Now, employers across manufacturing and the trades are struggling to find the people they need, and rebuilding that pipeline takes more than posting more jobs.

Toshiba CHRO Jason Desentz joins us to talk about how we got here, what it will take to make skilled careers a real option again, and why employers have a much bigger role to play in building the workforce they need. From apprenticeships and high school partnerships to retention, career mobility, and AI, this is a conversation about what rebuilding actually looks like.

WE BUILT THIS…

The skilled trades shortage is being called a $1 trillion workforce problem. But what if it’s a problem we helped create?

For decades, we closed factories, moved jobs, laid people off, and told a generation that the path to a good career ran through college, not the trades. Now employers are scrambling for welders, technicians, electricians, manufacturing talent, and other skilled workers.

We sat down with Toshiba CHRO Jason Desentz to talk about how we got here and, more importantly, what it will take to rebuild.

In this episode, we get into:

  • How decades of layoffs, offshoring, and steering people toward college helped create today’s skilled trades shortage

  • Why outdated perceptions of manufacturing and trade careers haven’t caught up with the jobs themselves

  • How employers can rebuild talent pipelines through high school partnerships, apprenticeships, and internal training

  • Why career mobility and development matter just as much as getting people in the door

  • The role trust, culture, and community play in keeping skilled workers

  • How AI and automation could enhance skilled work rather than simply replace it

Because we’re not going to solve the skilled trades shortage by waiting for more workers to show up. We have to rebuild the pathways that lead people there.


About Jason Desentz:

Jason Desentz is Chief Human Resources Officer at Toshiba Americas, where he leads human capital strategy across the region and supports a business spanning energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital solutions. A global HR executive with more than 25 years of experience, his career has crossed the automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services industries, with leadership experience across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Before joining Toshiba, Jason served as CHRO of Horizon Global, where he oversaw HR across 67 facilities in 21 countries and led global integration and talent management efforts. He has also worked as an HR consultant, advising organizations on HR strategy and transformation.

At Toshiba, Jason’s work includes workforce strategy, talent development, organizational transformation, and the changing role of HR as AI reshapes work. He has spoken publicly about preparing employees for AI, redesigning work, building more adaptable workforce strategies, and creating stronger career pathways for employees.

Jason is also a frequent speaker and podcast guest on the future of HR and work, including appearances at Transform and UNLEASH. A recurring theme in his work is that HR needs to understand the business first, using influence, data, and a willingness to experiment to turn people strategy into business strategy.

He holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA and has pursued doctoral-level study in business.

Follow Jason on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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