As part of the celebration, the company pledged US$100 million over the next five years to help equip the workforce of the future with the skills needed, leveraging technology to meet global market demands as the world undergoes a rapid digital transformation.
Caterpillar Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, said:
“We are excited to celebrate Caterpillar’s centennial with this investment that will empower the workforce of tomorrow. This pledge reinforces our commitment to building a world where technology and human creativity can work hand in hand to create a more resilient workforce. Together, by empowering individuals with the skills and resources they need to thrive, we can make that world our reality.”
According to The Future of Jobs Report 2025, in the next five years, the skillsets needed for success in the global labour market are expected to evolve drastically. This transformation will result in the creation of 170 million new jobs. These technology-driven skills can include those for artificial intelligence (AI), automation, data analytics, digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT), machine language, augmented reality, computer-aid design and modelling, and robotics maintenance, alongside soft skills.
Jaime Mineart, chief technology officer at Caterpillar, and pledge executive sponsor, said:
“As an industry leader, Caterpillar understands the urgency of preparing the next generation with the capabilities required for the jobs of tomorrow. This pledge, our first of its kind, reflects our dedication to collaborating with our global stakeholders to devise the best training solutions."
The pledge builds upon Caterpillar’s ongoing work to help close the growing skills gap in the manufacturing industry, including:
- ThinkBIG, a two-year programme that pays students while they train to become technicians.
- The company’s STEM outreach programmes that expose K-12 students to different careers in manufacturing.
- Caterpillar’s Global Dealer Technician Challenge – an initiative showcasing how skilled technicians are part of a high-tech, high-impact, high-demand career. The competition was designed to raise awareness of the opportunities in the technician career field.
Throughout 2025, Caterpillar will be engaging in bringing key actors together on forward-looking solutions and building on what it has already achieved in preparing the workforce of the future.
Centennial Celebrations
This year, Caterpillar is reflecting on its rich past and promising future at local celebrations across the world as part of a centennial world tour. In addition to Caterpillar's US$100 million pledge, the Caterpillar Foundation, Caterpillar’s philanthropic organisation, is making charitable donations to local non-profit organisations at each tour stop, building on the Foundation’s legacy of impact through community development and sustainability initiatives.
Asha Varghese, head of corporate social responsibility at Caterpillar, said:
“Whether it is Caterpillar investing in the future of work, or Caterpillar employees volunteering, the company’s culture has always been about supporting communities where its employees live and work. This ongoing commitment to serving communities helps create an environment in which everyone can thrive.”