Building what’s next: How GM is growing skilled trades careers nationwide
2026-05-06
As the nation celebrates National Skilled Trades Day, General Motors is shining a light on the people whose hands bring our innovations to life – and the nearly $200 million investment we’ve made in past year to grow and modernize skilled trades careers across the country.
For more than a century, GM has invested in the development of skilled trades. From manufacturing facilities and technical centers to dealership service bays and community-based training programs, we are expanding pathways into high‑demand skilled trades and advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technician roles.
The goal: support our current workforce with the skills and development they need while building clear, compelling career paths for the next generation.
“My first job at GM was in skilled trades, and it changed the course of my life,” said Mike Trevorrow, senior vice president, global manufacturing, “Seeing more people step into these roles is exciting, and I’m proud to see GM’s significant and strategic investments in these workers who are essential to our business and broader economy.”
Across the country, skilled trades are a powerful economic engine, and interest in these jobs is rising, particularly among younger Americans. A recent economic analysis of core trades such as mechanics, electricians, and technicians estimate they generate over $1.3 trillion in annual economic impact.
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Building today’s manufacturing workforce
Our manufacturing teams are the connective tissue between the company vision and the vehicles and parts our customers rely on every day.
Last month, we placed approximately 90 new skilled trades apprentices across our U.S. manufacturing footprint. These individuals will begin a four-year apprenticeship program, where they’ll receive hands‑on instruction, classroom training and on‑the‑job experience with experienced journeypersons.
New Arlington Assembly electrical apprentice Jon Kasper is looking forward to his upcoming visits to the Technical Learning University (TLU) in Warren, MI for training. The TLU gives apprentices a sandbox to practice, test ideas and solve problems before applying those skills on the assembly line.
“I was always a science guy in school, and the labs were my favorite part. I loved getting involved and figuring things out for myself,” Kasper said. “Now I get to do that here with hands-on learning. That’s what I’m so excited about.”
Broadening pathways to good jobs through community partnerships
GM’s investment in skilled trades extends beyond our walls and into our communities, beginning with a new $1 million grant to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The funding will help expand LISC’s nationwide Bridges to Career Opportunities programs, which offers job seekers hands-on training paired with career and financial and coaching to prepare them for good jobs in the trades and future career advancement.
“At LISC, we’re committed to creating holistic communities of opportunity that support nearly every corner of community life to fuel healthy families and businesses and grow local economies,” said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. “Our partnership with General Motors is an important step forward in helping us strengthen our work to advance innovative training and technology to build a future-ready workforce where demand is the strongest for these skills.”
This work is part of a broader commitment: This year, GM has committed $50 million in funding aligned to STEAM education, and tripling its workforce development grantmaking to $15 million. Together, these partnerships and programs represent a growing, multi‑million‑dollar investment in expanding access to good jobs, modernizing skilled-trades careers for the future and strengthening the talent pipeline in communities across the country.
Growing World Class Technicians to power what’s next
Beyond our manufacturing facilities, GM is investing in the technicians who keep our vehicles on the road. Through training and upskilling programs like the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP), Shifting Gears Automotive Technician Training Program, and the Technician Excellence Program, GM is building a future ready automotive service workforce with a clear career path.
These programs blend classroom learning with real‑world experience so participants build strong foundations in diagnostics, electronics, and EV systems, earning industry‑recognized credentials. As interest in skilled trades rises particularly among younger generations, this reflects a growing recognition that career success can start in a training lab or service bay just as readily as a lecture hall.
Bringing skilled trades to life through Design
Skilled trades are also essential behind the scenes in GM Design. Fabricators, electricians, technicians, and other critical skilled workers turn sketches and digital models into full-scale concepts and prototypes, while also maintaining both the equipment to make that happen and the historic Global Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan.
GM Design also fosters the development of young leaders through mentorship and training and encourages the exploration of skilled trade roles through its outreach program Youth Modelers Artists Designers (YMAD), and through collaborations with local career technical education programs for high school students.
As the nation celebrates National Skilled Trades Day, General Motors is shining a light on the people whose hands bring our innovations to life – and the nearly $200 million investment we’ve made in past year to grow and modernize skilled trades careers across the country.
For more than a century, GM has invested in the development of skilled trades. From manufacturing facilities and technical centers to dealership service bays and community-based training programs, we are expanding pathways into high‑demand skilled trades and advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technician roles.
The goal: support our current workforce with the skills and development they need while building clear, compelling career paths for the next generation.
“My first job at GM was in skilled trades, and it changed the course of my life,” said Mike Trevorrow, senior vice president, global manufacturing, “Seeing more people step into these roles is exciting, and I’m proud to see GM’s significant and strategic investments in these workers who are essential to our business and broader economy.”
Across the country, skilled trades are a powerful economic engine, and interest in these jobs is rising, particularly among younger Americans. A recent economic analysis of core trades such as mechanics, electricians, and technicians estimate they generate over $1.3 trillion in annual economic impact.
Building today’s manufacturing workforce
Our manufacturing teams are the connective tissue between the company vision and the vehicles and parts our customers rely on every day.
Last month, we placed approximately 90 new skilled trades apprentices across our U.S. manufacturing footprint. These individuals will begin a four-year apprenticeship program, where they’ll receive hands‑on instruction, classroom training and on‑the‑job experience with experienced journeypersons.
New Arlington Assembly electrical apprentice Jon Kasper is looking forward to his upcoming visits to the Technical Learning University (TLU) in Warren, MI for training. The TLU gives apprentices a sandbox to practice, test ideas and solve problems before applying those skills on the assembly line.
“I was always a science guy in school, and the labs were my favorite part. I loved getting involved and figuring things out for myself,” Kasper said. “Now I get to do that here with hands-on learning. That’s what I’m so excited about.”
Broadening pathways to good jobs through community partnerships
GM’s investment in skilled trades extends beyond our walls and into our communities, beginning with a new $1 million grant to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The funding will help expand LISC’s nationwide Bridges to Career Opportunities programs, which offers job seekers hands-on training paired with career and financial and coaching to prepare them for good jobs in the trades and future career advancement.
“At LISC, we’re committed to creating holistic communities of opportunity that support nearly every corner of community life to fuel healthy families and businesses and grow local economies,” said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. “Our partnership with General Motors is an important step forward in helping us strengthen our work to advance innovative training and technology to build a future-ready workforce where demand is the strongest for these skills.”
This work is part of a broader commitment: This year, GM has committed $50 million in funding aligned to STEAM education, and tripling its workforce development grantmaking to $15 million. Together, these partnerships and programs represent a growing, multi‑million‑dollar investment in expanding access to good jobs, modernizing skilled-trades careers for the future and strengthening the talent pipeline in communities across the country.
Growing World Class Technicians to power what’s next
Beyond our manufacturing facilities, GM is investing in the technicians who keep our vehicles on the road. Through training and upskilling programs like the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP), Shifting Gears Automotive Technician Training Program, and the Technician Excellence Program, GM is helping to build a future ready automotive service workforce with a clear career path.
These programs blend classroom learning with real‑world experience so participants build strong foundations in diagnostics, electronics, and EV systems, earning industry‑recognized credentials. As interest in skilled trades rises particularly among younger generations, this reflects a growing recognition that career success can start in a training lab or service bay just as readily as a lecture hall.
Bringing skilled trades to life through Design
Skilled trades are also essential behind the scenes in GM Design. Fabricators, electricians, technicians, and other critical skilled workers turn sketches and digital models into full-scale concepts and prototypes, while also maintaining both the equipment to make that happen and the historic Global Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan.
GM Design also fosters the development of young leaders through mentorship and training and encourages the exploration of skilled trade roles through its outreach program Youth Modelers Artists Designers (YMAD), and through collaborations with local career technical education programs for high school students.
