Inside GM's $242M push to rebuild America's skilled trades workforce

Core Insights - The skilled trades workforce in the U.S. is rapidly declining, posing a significant challenge to the country's infrastructure and economy [1][7] - General Motors (GM) has invested over $242 million in its skilled trades apprenticeship program over the past five years to address this shortage [2][4] Investment in Workforce Development - GM's apprenticeship program combines classroom instruction with approximately 7,920 hours of hands-on training, focusing on various skilled trades [3][5] - The program aims to train the next generation of skilled trade professionals, with 600 apprentices graduating annually [4] Skills Shortage and Labor Market Dynamics - A report from Georgetown University indicates a projected retirement of 18.4 million experienced workers with postsecondary education from 2024 to 2032, outpacing the 13.8 million younger workers entering the labor market [9] - The manufacturing skills gap could result in 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, potentially costing the economy $1 trillion [10][12] Community Engagement and Education - GM is actively engaging younger generations by introducing them to career paths in automotive manufacturing through community outreach and school visits [13][14] - The company also supports current employees' skill enhancement through its Technical Learning University, training about 2,500 employees annually [16][17] Technological Upskilling - GM's Technical Learning University allows employees to practice new technologies in a safe environment, ensuring they can adapt to advancements and improve vehicle quality and efficiency [18]