As workforce demands continue to grow across infrastructure and industrial sectors, new efforts are emerging to strengthen the talent pipeline supporting corrosion and materials protection. At the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo in Houston, one of the key developments was the launch of TalentForce, a workforce initiative designed to address critical labor shortages across the industry.
Amid this broader conversation, Juliet Stipeche, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, participated in the conference’s Workforce Development Panel on March 17, contributing a workforce systems perspective to discussions with employers, educators, and industry leaders.
The panel took place at a time when the need for skilled workers is intensifying. According to industry data shared during the conference, corrosion-related challenges impact essential infrastructure such as bridges, pipelines, power systems, and industrial facilities—while workforce shortages continue to affect employers’ ability to maintain and protect these assets.
During the session, employers described ongoing difficulties recruiting and retaining workers, as well as the significant time and training required for new hires to reach full productivity. Stipeche’s participation focused on how workforce systems can better connect existing resources to employer needs.
The discussion aligned closely with the goals of TalentForce, a new charitable workforce development organization backed by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). The initiative aims to expand access to careers through registered apprenticeships, employer-aligned training, and stackable credentials that support both entry into the field and long-term advancement.
TalentForce also emphasizes collaboration across sectors, bringing together employers, educators, and workforce partners to strengthen career pathways and improve workforce readiness.
A key driver behind this effort is Katerina Pinchuk, Director of Workforce Development at AMPP, whose leadership and collaboration helped bring workforce partners into the conversation. Through her work, TalentForce is building stronger connections between industry and workforce systems, helping align training with real-world demands.
Stipeche’s participation in the panel reflected the importance of those partnerships. As workforce boards continue working to expand access to high-demand careers, initiatives like TalentForce highlight the role of coordinated strategies in addressing both immediate hiring needs and long-term workforce sustainability.
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