We often frame the AI revolution around models, chips, and software. But making it real demands a massive expansion of hard infrastructure — data centers, power systems, and semiconductor fabs. Here’s the catch: while we chase AI talent, we’re short on skilled trades — the electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and other specialists who actually build this backbone.
The new federal AI Action Plan aims to change that. It pushes a worker-first agenda and directs Labor and Commerce to fund rapid retraining programs tailored to these hands-on roles. The hard part: you can’t learn to weld or fix pipes from a keyboard. These are physical skills that require practice in the real world.
That opens a lane for startups. Especially, those creating a new breed of vocational school for the AI economy — using AI to personalize training and get people job-ready in months, not years.
A new approach to workforce development is helping essential industries uncover skilled workers in unexpected places. The AI-driven skills assessment platform PowerTechs is redefining how employers identify talent — moving beyond traditional resumes to focus on demonstrated, real-world ability.
Beyond the Resume
Rather than relying on self-reported qualifications, PowerTechs uses cognitive technology, artificial intelligence, and extended reality simulations to evaluate actual technical capabilities. The experience feels more like a hands-on challenge than a job application, allowing candidates to prove their proficiency through performance-based tasks.
This approach has drawn attention from key institutions, with the U.S. Department of Defense approving the technology and the Department of Labor providing funding support. By shifting the focus to what individuals can do rather than what they claim, the platform opens opportunities for capable workers who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional hiring processes.
A Smarter Way to Match Skills
Early pilot programs have demonstrated that PowerTechs can identify qualified candidates up to ten times faster and with greater precision than resume-based methods. The AI system highlights transferable skills that may not appear in conventional applications, offering employers a broader and more diverse talent pool.
For sectors like manufacturing, utilities, and public services, where technical accuracy and safety are paramount, this capability represents a significant advancement in workforce matching and reskilling.
Human-Centered Innovation
At the heart of this innovation is Ksenia Solomatina, founder and CEO of PowerTechs. With a background in workforce analytics, Solomatina envisioned a system that empowers workers to demonstrate their strengths regardless credentials. Her leadership emphasizes both technology and human potential — creating a bridge between skilled workers and the industries that urgently need them.
Addressing Critical Workforce Needs
As essential industries grapple with aging workforces and skills shortages, traditional hiring models often fall short. Tools like PowerTechs demonstrate how AI can serve as a workforce equalizer, revealing hidden talent and enabling faster, fairer career transitions.
By combining immersive assessments with data-driven insights, this approach helps employers make more informed hiring decisions while supporting workers eager to reskill and contribute to critical sectors. It’s not just a new hiring platform, it’s a reimagined ecosystem for connecting people and opportunity.
