The Workforce Crisis in the USA — Upskilling and Recruiting in a Shifting EHS Landscape
EHS Workforce at a Tipping Point
The Workforce Crisis in the USA — Upskilling and Recruiting in a Shifting EHS Landscape: Focus Network latest research shows a quiet crisis is unfolding across the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) sector in the USA, one that threatens to undermine organizational resilience, compliance readiness, and operational safety.
Tyron McGurgan, Founder & CEO of Focus Network, recently presented the organization’s latest research findings to over 200 senior EHS executives from across the United States at the biannual EHS Leaders Summit USA, held on May 23–24, 2025, at the Sheraton Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona. The insights were drawn directly from Focus Network’s most recent national EHS Leaders Survey, which captured in-depth perspectives from 226 senior EHS executives nationwide.
The latest research reveals that skills shortages and recruitment issues have emerged as the number one concern for many EHS leaders across multiple industries. This isn’t just a talent gap, it’s a capability cliff.
As workforce demographics shift and the demands on EHS functions evolve, organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to fill roles, retain top talent, and build long term capability. New tools, digital platforms, and ESG expectations are accelerating the change, but the workforce hasn’t caught up.
Why the Talent Pipeline is Drying Up?
Industries with complex risk profiles, such as construction, infrastructure, utilities, and logistics, are struggling the most. Many of these sectors are experiencing:
- High retirement rates from aging EHS professionals.
- Shrinking candidate pools due to lack of awareness and educational pathways into EHS.
- Increasing expectations around digital fluency and ESG integration, which older frameworks didn’t train for.
The survey shows that construction/infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy sectors are the hardest hit, with multiple respondents highlighting the loss of institutional knowledge and difficulty recruiting younger talent. This has created a dangerous imbalance. Complex hazards are increasing, but the expertise to manage them is decreasing.
Digital Disruption is Raising the Bar
Adding to the challenge is the accelerating pace of digital transformation within EHS. Technologies such as:
- Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) for immersive training
- AI-powered analytics for risk prediction
- Cloud platforms for incident tracking and audit management
…are becoming commonplace. But these tools require new skillsets, ones that current EHS professionals often lack.
This mismatch has created what many leaders are calling the “capability lag”, even as organizations invest in tools, the people who are required to use them are just not ready. According to the 2025 survey, this readiness gap is one of the fastest growing operational risks, especially for distributed teams or contractors.
Training Investment vs. Workforce Reality
Despite the urgency, many organizations still fail to prioritize workforce development in their budgets. The data shows that while investment in systems and tools is increasing, spending on upskilling, leadership development, and cross training is comparatively low.
This misalignment is made more evident by the results that came out of the survey data:
- Upskilling and recruitment were ranked in the top 2 challenges by over 60% of respondents.
- Yet, less than 30% of EHS leaders said they were sufficiently resourced to address those issues.
- 54% of EHS leaders report managing personal budgets under $500K, limiting the ability to make long term training investments.
Organizations continue to invest in the what (tools, systems) while neglecting the who (people). Without people capable of operating and optimizing new technologies, the ROI of these investments will remain low.
Rethinking Capability Through a Systems Approach to Upskilling
The future of EHS capability cannot rely solely on traditional training models. Leaders must embrace a systems level approach that incorporates:
- Scenario-based learning by Using VR/AR to simulate real world risk environments.
- Peer learning ecosystems that allow experienced EHS professionals to mentor younger staff.
- Role rotation and cross-functional exposure to build strategic thinking and organizational fluency.
- Microlearning delivery On-demand, modular learning tailored for busy or remote teams.
Furthermore, EHS teams must be built to reflect the new scope of responsibilities, including ESG reporting, supply chain risk, and mental health frameworks. These areas require different knowledge bases and more interdisciplinary collaboration.
Industry Collaboration and External Partnerships
One opportunity lies in creating external partnerships with vocational institutions, universities, and industry groups to build the next generation of EHS professionals. This includes:
- Apprenticeships and graduate programs
- Joint certification schemes with technology vendors
- Regional upskilling hubs in high risk industries
There is also a need for shared knowledge platforms that allow companies to benchmark training approaches, capability metrics, and staff development strategies.
Some industry leaders are already moving in this direction. For example, several manufacturing companies surveyed are embedding EHS literacy into broader workforce onboarding, signaling a culture-first, safety-always approach.
Building the EHS Workforce of the Future
The survey data paints a clear picture for us that the EHS workforce crisis is not just about recruitment, it’s about survival. As operational risks grow and regulatory scrutiny increases, organizations must take bold action to futureproof their teams.
To close the gap, EHS leaders should consider
- Conducting a capability audit and map current skill levels against future needs.
- Build a workforce strategy and incorporate recruitment, training, and leadership development as core pillars.
- Allocate funding to ensure training is prioritized alongside tech and compliance in budget planning.
- Embed learning into culture to move from ad-hoc training to continuous learning.
- Leverage industry alliances by tapping into shared resources to scale workforce growth.
The road ahead demands more than systems, it demands smart, equipped people who can lead through uncertainty. Without them, no investment in tools or platforms will be enough.
About Focus Network
Focus Network is a leading provider of high-level research and advisory services, as well as tailored events for senior professionals in the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) sector. We connect EHS leaders, innovators, and major suppliers to foster collaboration, share valuable insights, and drive meaningful change across industries. Through our global EHS Leaders Summits and other specialized private events, we unite experts to address the most pressing challenges in safety, compliance, and sustainability. Our approach is informed by localized insights and data, meticulously curated through our extensive research and in depth reports.
About the EHS Leaders Summit
The EHS Leaders Summit is a premier, invite-only event held annually across the United States, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand, bringing together senior EHS executives to explore the future of workplace safety, regulatory challenges, and innovative solutions from a range of carefully selected suppliers. This exclusive summit offers unmatched networking opportunities, hands on learning sessions, and region specific insights curated by Focus Network analysts, providing an in depth exploration of the latest trends and technologies shaping the EHS sector locally in each area. Over the course of two days, attendees engage in pre-arranged 1-1 business meetings with leading supplier companies, equipping them with actionable knowledge and strategies to drive meaningful change within their organizations.
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