GM just spent $200 million proving your trade school right.

May 16, 2026

In partnership with

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Did you catch what happened last week?

General Motors just announced they spent nearly $200 million in the last year alone trying to solve the skilled trades shortage.

$200 million.

From ONE company.

And they still can't find enough workers.

Think about that for a second.

The largest automaker in America is throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at this problem and the shortage is still getting worse.

That's not a company issue. That's a systemic one.

And that gap between what employers need and what exists right now?

That's your business.

That’s not a coincidence.
America’s social safety net is changing and fast.

The government is tightening benefit programs like SNAP (food assistance) and Section 8 housing, requiring more recipients to either work or enroll in approved training programs to keep their benefits.

And while that might sound like bad news to some… It’s actually the wake-up call both sides needed.
For families stuck in a benefit loop, it’s a chance to move forward.
For schools and training providers, it’s the biggest opportunity in years.

Let’s dive in.

Here's what GM is actually doing with that money.

They just brought in 90 new apprentices across their U.S. facilities. Four year program. Classroom plus hands on. The whole thing.

They tripled their workforce development grants to $15 million.

They're building their own training university in Warren, Michigan just so workers can practice skills before hitting the floor.

A Fortune 5 company is essentially building their own trade school because there aren't enough trade school graduates to hire from.

Let that sink in.

And GM isn't alone.

Last week was National Skilled Trades Day and the announcements were everywhere.

Construction right now needs 349,000 net new workers in 2026 alone.

92% of construction firms say they can't find qualified workers.

The construction industry just hit $2.2 trillion in spending and they still can't staff up.

The demand is real. The money is real. The jobs are real.

The only thing missing is trained people.

So why am I telling you this?

Because most trade school owners are still marketing like they're trying to convince people the trades are a good idea.

You don't have to convince anybody anymore.

GM is doing that for you. The news is doing that for you. The data is doing that for you.

Your job right now is just to be visible and easy to enroll in when someone decides they're ready.

The awareness problem is largely solved.

The access problem is what's left.

Are you the answer when someone in your market goes looking?

P.S. — Forward this to another school owner who needs to hear it. The market is wide open right now. There's enough for everybody.

Until next time, control what YOU can control, take action on something, and don’t forget to smile. Like what you read? Here’s how you can help:  Share this newsletter with friends who could use a boost. Sharing is caring!

Connect with me on X (formerly Twitter) – let's chat and support each other. Find me at @Trade Schools Secrets-WIOA Whisperer