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

General Motors CEO Mary Barra has urged high school students not to overlook skilled trades as a viable career path. In a recent interview on Fortune’s Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast, Barra, 64, emphasized that blue-collar careers could offer protection against artificial intelligence and potentially higher earnings than some white-collar jobs. She stated that a technician could earn between $80,000 and $90,000 per year, with the potential for even higher salaries based on working hours.

The skilled trades sector faces a significant labor shortage, with an estimated 2.1 million jobs expected to go unfilled by 2030, according to the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades. Barra highlighted the growing demand for electricians, driven by the data center expansion supporting AI technology. Over 300,000 new electricians will be needed within the next decade to meet this demand.

Barra’s interest in the skilled trades is deeply personal. Her father worked at GM for 39 years as a die maker, instilling in her an appreciation for the people who build things and the value of hard work. Barra, ranked No. 2 Most Powerful Woman on Fortune’s 2026 list, sees a societal issue where skilled trades are often viewed less favorably than white-collar professions. She noted that Europe places greater respect on tradespeople who work with their hands and contribute to building and servicing various industries.

In response to this shortage, General Motors has invested nearly $200 million to expand and modernize skilled trades and advanced manufacturing roles. The funding supports community-based training programs and upgrades to manufacturing facilities, technical centers, and dealership service bays. GM has also placed approximately 90 new skilled trades apprentices in its U.S. manufacturing divisions since April.

CEOs across various industries, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Larry Fink of BlackRock, have echoed Barra’s concerns about the skilled-labor shortage. Dimon warned that the shortage could hinder American investment, particularly in expanding the defense-industrial base, emphasizing the need for 300,000 electricians, welders, and similar workers in the next five to ten years.

Fink, likewise, sees the disruption caused by AI as an opportunity to create a demand for hands-on skills, stating that AI will drive the need for skilled labor while questioning whether traditional college paths to white-collar jobs are adapting quickly enough to this rapid change.