GM Starts Stars, Stripes, and Skilled Trades Job Training

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Starts Stars, Stripes, and Skilled Trades Job Training

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General Motors  (NYSE: GM) today announced the launch of the “Stars, Stripes, and Skilled Trades” initiative. GM is  requesting proposals from “mission driven non-profits “across the nation to support transitioning service members, veterans, and their families to pursue automotive careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades.

“At General Motors, we believe creating clear pathways to good jobs is central to strengthening our communities and the broader economy,” said General Motors Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship David Massaron. “Yet, too many transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses still face uncertain employment prospects. At the same time, our industry faces a critical shortage of skilled trades and manufacturing talent. Stars, Stripes and Skilled Trades, builds on a century of GM’s support for America’s heroes. By connecting this incredible talent with high-demand careers, we are expanding the pipeline that will power the future of American manufacturing.”

GM has plans to support up to 12 proven non-profit workforce programs across the United States. Priority will be “for organizations that demonstrate job-placement pathways, industry-recognized credentials, strong employer partnerships, and relevance to GM facility communities. Successful respondents to the Request for Proposal will receive grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to expand and strengthen their workforce development efforts.”

GM through its “Shifting Gears” program is already running  an automotive technician training program that has provided automotive training and job placement opportunities to more than 1000 service members leaving active duty. In 2026, GM committed $50 million in funding aligned to STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics  – AutoCrat] education and tripled its workforce development grant making to $15 million.

“Together, these partnerships and programs represent a growing, multi‑million‑dollar investment in expanding access to good jobs, modernizing skilled-trades careers for the future and strengthening the talent pipeline in communities across the country,” GM said.

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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