Why isn’t the mainstream media talking about this?
America’s skilled trades workforce—long the backbone of U.S. manufacturing and economic strength—is shrinking at an alarming rate. As millions of experienced workers near retirement, fewer young Americans are stepping in to replace them, creating a growing crisis for American industry.
While Washington continues to debate solutions, President Donald Trump’s push to rebuild American manufacturing is being reinforced by major private-sector investments. One of the most significant efforts comes from General Motors, which has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to training the next generation of skilled American workers.
GM Invests Over $242 Million in American Workers
During the last five years, General Motors has committed over $242 million to its skilled trades apprenticeship program, which prepares workers for well-paid, hands-on manufacturing jobs that stay in the United States and don’t require heavy student loan debt.
According to Michael Trevorrow, GM’s senior vice president of global manufacturing, the program blends structured classroom instruction with extensive real-world experience inside GM facilities across the country.
Apprentices complete up to 672 hours of technical education along with approximately 7,900 hours of paid, on-the-job training under experienced trades professionals.
Training tracks include:
- Electrician
- Toolmaker
- Millwright
- Pipefitter
- Machine repair technician
- Diemaker
- Laboratory and paint technicians
These are essential jobs that keep America’s factories, supply chains, and infrastructure running.
From Apprentice to Executive: The American Dream Still Works
Trevorrow himself is proof the system works. He began his career as a diemaker apprentice and rose through the ranks to oversee GM’s global manufacturing operations. Today, about 600 apprentices graduate from the program each year, many stepping directly into stable, long-term careers.
Upon completion, participants earn a journeyperson credential, officially certifying them as fully qualified skilled trades professionals. Veterans entering the program may qualify for accelerated completion, helping former service members transition quickly into the civilian workforce.
Unlike traditional college paths, apprentices earn a paycheck while they learn, avoiding the student debt crisis that has burdened millions of Americans.
“This is an investment in America’s future,” Trevorrow said. “We’re building the workforce we’ll need over the next ten years—not just tomorrow.”
America’s Skilled Labor Crisis Is Getting Worse
The timing of GM’s investment couldn’t be more critical.
A recent Georgetown University report warned that between 2024 and 2032, roughly 18.4 million skilled workers with postsecondary training are expected to retire. Meanwhile, only 13.8 million younger workers are projected to enter the labor market with comparable skills.
During the same period, the U.S. economy is expected to add 685,000 new jobs requiring technical education and specialized training.
A previous study by the National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte estimated that America’s manufacturing skills gap could leave 2.1 million jobs unfilled by 2030, potentially costing the economy $1 trillion.
Reaching the Next Generation of American Workers
General Motors is not limiting its workforce efforts to adults and military veterans. The company is also reaching younger Americans early, introducing them to skilled trades careers well before they enter the job market.
GM volunteers visit local schools and communities, exposing students—from kindergarten through 12th grade—to modern manufacturing. Students tour plants filled with advanced robotics, automation systems, and precision engineering.
Employees also work directly with students on hands-on projects, including engineering challenges and model vehicle construction, teaching skills like problem-solving, quality control, and standardized work processes.
Training Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Technology
GM is also investing heavily in current employees through its Technical Learning University, which trains roughly 2,500 workers each year.
The program allows employees to practice with real manufacturing systems in a controlled environment before new technology is deployed on the factory floor. This approach improves efficiency, safety, and product quality—all while keeping American workers competitive.
As Trevorrow explained, staying ahead of technology ultimately benefits consumers through better-built vehicles, improved reliability, and lower long-term costs.
A Win for American Manufacturing
At a time when President Trump continues to prioritize American jobs, domestic manufacturing, and economic independence, investments like this show what happens when private industry commits real money to America’s workforce.
For millions of Americans—especially those without college degrees—skilled trades represent a pathway to stability, dignity, and prosperity. And as this investment proves, the American Dream is still alive on the factory floor.
