Purpose: This study aims to investigate the problem of trained employee retention in a highly competitive labor market for a manufacturing facility in the oilfields of West Texas. Design/methodology/approach: This article examines how one manufacturing facility should be able to retain their trained employees by using the logic of Eliyahu M. Goldratt's thinking process. Findings: The thinking process underscores the importance of a systematic process of problem-solving by pinpointing the problem, determining a workable solution, and implementing the solution. By using this process, an organization would begin by looking for the underlying cause of the problem which produces undesirable effects (UDE) and develop a current reality tree highlighting these UDEs. Then the organization would develop a future reality tree which produces the desired effects. Research limitations/implications: The list of publications was not exhaustive and were all US publications, which might have limited its usefulness outside the USA. Practical implications: This paper is a useful source of ideas for training and retention of employees in a competitive labor market. (Contains 4 figures.)