GM CEO Mary Barra says America has a ‘societal problem’ with skilled trades - and is putting $200 million behind training Gen Z to work with their hands

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    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/17/general-motors-ceo-mary-barra-skilled-trades-six-figure-potential-for-gen-z-200-million-investment/",
    "title": "GM CEO Mary Barra says America has a ‘societal problem’ with skilled trades - and is putting $200 million behind training Gen Z to work with their hands",
    "assets": "manufacturing facilities, technical centers, and dealership service bays",
    "author": "Preston Fore",
    "excerpt": "General Motors CEO Mary Barra has a simple message for high school students weighing their career options: Don’t overlook the skilled trades . On a recent episode of Fortune’s Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast , the 64-year-old automotive leader said that blue-collar careers could offer more protection from artificial intelligence than some white-collar paths - and still give Gen Z a shot at six-figure earnings . “[We need to] really make sure high school students understand this is a great career and frankly maybe a little more AI-proof than some others,” Barra said, adding that a technician could make $80,000 to $90,000. “Potentially even higher, depending on how many hours they work.” The opportunities extend well beyond the automotive industry. An estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs could go unfilled nationally by 2030, according to the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades , a coalition formed over the summer by BlackRock , Carhartt, Ford Motor Company, and Google to address the labor gap. Barra pointed specifically to the growing demand for electricians , fueled in part by the data center boom powering the expansion of AI. More than 300,000 new electricians are estimated to be needed over the next decade to meet demand. For Barra, who is ranked No. 2 Most Powerful Woman on Fortune’s 2026 list , the conversation around skilled trades is personal. Both of her...",
    "summary": "General Motors has invested nearly $200 million to grow and modernize high-demand skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technician roles, including upgrading manufacturing facilities and technical centers.",
    "planning": false,
    "image_url": "https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2255455069-e1789483585618.jpg?resize=1200,600",
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    "published_at": "2026-09-17T07:00:00Z",
    "article_sentence": "GM, for its part, has invested nearly $200 million to grow and modernize high‑demand skilled trades as well as advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technician roles.",
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