Ford CEO sounds skilled-worker alarm as young technicians tout less debt, job security

America needs to invest in the people who "build things" or risk falling further behind global competitors, Ford CEO Jim Farley warned Wednesday.Speaking at Ford's Accelerate event in Detroit, Farley said the U.S. has underinvested in the "essential economy" — industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy, transportation, logistics and public services — while countries like Germany, China and South Korea have placed greater emphasis on apprenticeships and workforce training.