[caltaxed]

The article is spot on. We do subcontract machining and welding, and the large machine shops are at full capacity now. The most common complaint is that none of these shops can find any talented machinists.

It takes about ten years to become a journeyman machinist and the work is stressful, demanding and not many people are successful at it.

Most successful machinists start at an earlier age, as it requires a high level of discipline which needs to be forced into a younger man's ego.

[Roccus]

The most common complaint is that none of these shops can find any talented machinists.

...and near the end of the article is the money quote that explains why

“But there’s no apprenticeship program—no way to fill the future growth."