Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors, discusses the impact of auto tariffs and building the business on “The Claman Countdown.”
General Motors is investing tens of millions of dollars to raise wages and retrain workers at a major factory in Kansas as it prepares for three major car launches.
General Motors’ investment directly supports the careers of workers at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, which the automaker describes as “at the forefront of its latest manufacturing innovations.”
The automaker said the investment is expected to strengthen the facility as it prepares to introduce three vehicles and underscores the company’s focus on investing in its workforce to strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
The factory currently produces the Chevrolet Bolt, an electric vehicle. Production of a gasoline-powered Chevrolet Equinox and a next-generation Buick compact SUV will soon begin.
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Workers at General Motors’ Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas. (General engines)
The company is investing in Fairfax because it believes its long-term competitiveness depends on its workforce. As vehicle technology changes, especially when it comes to electric vehicles and more advanced manufacturing processes, having a skilled, adaptable workforce is considered just as important as having modern equipment.
INSIDE GM’s $242 Million Effort to Rebuild America’s Skilled Workforce
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM | GENERAL MOTORS CO. | 84.91 | -1.46 |
-1.69% |
The investment will specifically help employees learn new skills for more advanced roles so they can stay abreast of new vehicle technology. This includes training employees in handling both electric and gas-powered vehicles, as well as improving safety practices, product quality and readiness for new vehicle launches.
“The investment in people is not just about preparing for the production of new vehicles; it is about giving our people the opportunity to build a future that their families can be proud of,” said Michael Youngs, director of the Fairfax plant.
A sign stands outside the GM Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, USA, on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. (Ed Zurga/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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This investment is part of GM’s broader long-term commitment to supporting current and future employees as the industry evolves.
Workers on the floor of the General Motors plant in Fairfax, Kansas. (Steve Fecht/General Motors via Getty Images)
The company has invested $500 million in apprenticeships and upskilling programs in the US in the past five years alone.
It also trains approximately 2,500 employees per year in advanced manufacturing, electrification and emerging technologies at Technical Learning University in Warren, Michigan.
It has also invested $66 million in higher education over the past five years to help thousands of employees earn various certificates and degrees.
