General Motors CEO Mary Barra announced a $200 million investment to train Generation Z in skilled trades, emphasizing the importance of blue-collar careers amid rising concerns about artificial intelligence impacting white-collar jobs. Speaking on Fortune's Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast, Barra highlighted that skilled trades offer six-figure earning potential and greater job security against AI disruption.
Barra underscored the need to shift perceptions among high school students about careers in skilled trades, noting technicians can earn between $80,000 and $90,000 annually, with potential for higher income based on hours worked. She pointed to a national shortage, with an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs expected to remain unfilled by 2030, according to the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, a coalition including BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford, and Google.
The CEO specifically highlighted the growing demand for electricians, driven by the expansion of data centers supporting AI technologies. Over the next decade, more than 300,000 new electricians will be needed to meet this demand. Barra’s advocacy is informed by her personal background, having started her career on an assembly line like her blue-collar father, reinforcing her commitment to addressing the labor gap in skilled trades.
The Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades coalition was formed in the summer of 2026 to tackle the labor shortage, with members from major corporations aiming to promote and support skilled trades careers. Barra’s $200 million investment is part of broader efforts to prepare the workforce for evolving economic demands and technological shifts.