Caterpillar Inc. has announced a five-year, $100 million investment program aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing and developing the next generation of industrial talent. The initiative begins in Indiana, where Caterpillar will provide up to $5 million in funding for skills training and upskilling programmes to prepare workers for high-demand manufacturing roles.
“At Caterpillar, we’re committed to equipping the American workforce with the expertise needed to succeed in tomorrow’s industrial landscape,” said Christy Pambianchi, Chief Human Resources Officer. “We’re starting here in Indiana to help U.S. workers enter high-quality jobs in the manufacturing sector.”
Governor Mike Braun welcomed the investment, citing it as evidence of Indiana’s pro-growth climate and readiness to support advanced manufacturing careers. Meanwhile, Jason Kaiser, President of Caterpillar’s Energy & Transportation Group, emphasized that the engines manufactured in Lafayette, Indiana will play a critical role in meeting rising energy demands.
Indiana’s economic data underscore the significance of the move. The state’s manufacturing sector currently employs about 520,000 workers, representing roughly 17.4 % of total jobs in the state. Manufacturing value-added in Indiana was approximately $129 billion, accounting for nearly 24 % of the state’s GDP. Moreover, Indiana is projected to face 36,000 to 57,000 unfilled manufacturing positions by the end of 2022 due to talent shortages—translating to potential net losses of up to $6.8 billion in output and tax revenue.
Caterpillar’s initiative therefore targets a vital economic engine in Indiana, supporting both job creation and skills development at a time when the manufacturing workforce faces significant gaps and aging demographics. The company operates some 65 + primary U.S. sites and independent dealers nationwide, and plans to announce further investments in the coming years, reinforcing its long-term commitment to U.S. industrial competitiveness and workforce readiness.
By anchoring the first phase of its investment in Indiana, Caterpillar aims to leverage a state with strong manufacturing intensity while addressing workforce challenges to support its own production footprint and broader manufacturing ecosystems.
