GM Apprenticeship Program
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The next generation of skilled trade professionals will help us create a better, safer and more equitable all-electric future.
What is an Apprenticeship?
As with all US-Department of Labor registered apprenticeship training programs, the Apprentice will enroll in, and complete required classroom training curriculum outlined by their Local Joint Apprentice Committee. The course work will require up to 672 hours of related technical instruction in a classroom setting and approximately 7920 hours of on the job training with an assigned qualified Journeyperson. An Apprenticeship allows for a unique opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to become a skilled trades journeyperson through on the job learning with current GM-UAW skilled tradespersons, along with related technical training. General Motors pays for wages.
As a GM-UAW Apprentice, you would learn what it takes to keep a world class manufacturing facility operating at peak capacity. As an Apprentice in manufacturing, you may have the opportunity to learn, utilize, maintain, and troubleshoot highly technical manufacturing equipment and processes, including robots, vision applications, dies, fixtures, CNC machining, PLC, and diagnostic tools. If your interest is in Engineering, a GM-UAW Apprentice in engineering would have the opportunity to learn, utilize, maintain, build, problem solve and design new technologies and innovative concepts, including pre-production vehicles and propulsion systems, die construction, vehicle concepts and restorations. An Apprentice, in Manufacturing and/or Engineering, would learn how to communicate effectively with other tradespersons and members of Management in a fast-paced team driven environment.
Apprenticeship Program Process
Take a moment to learn about the Apprenticeship eligibility and hiring process.
Register to the Apprenticeship Talent Community
Join the Apprenticeship Talent community to express interest in becoming a part of the GM-UAW Apprenticeship Program
Complete STARC
Applicant must complete STARC program prior to being eligible for Apprenticeship Program. If you haven't done so, you must register to take courses at Penn Foster.
Eligibility and offer notification
Once STARC is completed, you're eligible for the Apprenticeship Program with General Motors. If selected, a talent acquisition professional will reach out to extend an offer, where you will have five days to accept the offer.
Pre-Apprenticeship enrollment
You will receive pre-hire paperwork and must complete an application and necessary employment screening(s) to complete enrollment of the GM-UAW Apprenticeship Program.
Onboarding scheduled
Once you have completed STARC and necessary pre-employment requirements and accepted an offer, your onboarding details will be scheduled and shared with you.
Apprenticeship FAQs
Learn more about the responsibilities, expectations and locations where GM supports Apprenticeship Programs.
You should first express interest in the GM-UAW Apprenticeship Program by joining the apprenticeship talent community. This is how external prospects can show their interest in a potential opportunity to be hired as an Apprentice at General Motors in the future.
Prior to applying to become a GM-UAW Apprentice, you must successfully complete the GM-UAW Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate (STARC) program at Penn Foster by passing four (4) specific college level courses with a grade of 85% (75%) or better to work in our Manufacturing facilities or 85% or better to work in our Engineering facilities. The four (4) courses are: Basic Shop Related Mathematics, Basic Blueprint Reading for Skilled Trades, Trades Related Preparation (Spatial and Mechanical Reasoning) and Algebra 101. For more information about the STARC program, visit the Penn Foster website.
In order to be considered as an eligible applicant for GM's Apprenticeship Program, you must register to take these courses at Penn Foster through this link, here.
Upon successful completion of the STARC program, you will subsequently be placed on our STARC Ready List, making yourself eligible to potentially receive a job offer as a GM-UAW Apprentice in the future.
Interested individuals must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Must be able to satisfactorily complete the General Motors hiring process requirements, which includes a four-panel drug testing and a background check.
- Must have successfully complete the GM-UAW Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate (STARC) program with a grade of 85% (75%) or better for Manufacturing sites and/or 80% or better for Engineering sites.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be eligible to work for GM in the United States and be able to present proof of their identity and work authorization within three days of beginning employment.
- Must be willing to work flexible shift hours and day, afternoon, or night shift as well as overtime hours daily, weekends and holidays on those shifts with little notice.
- GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU NEED OR WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP TO WORK OR TO REMAIN EMPLOYED AT GM (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.).
- If you are a current GM employee operating under a collective bargaining agreement, please contact your local HR/LR for employee placement opportunities.
The Apprentice employee is:
- Reclassified as a corporate journeyperson with transfer rights,
- Eligible to apply for DOL - ETA - 671 document showing completion of a DOL recognized apprenticeship program,
- Eligible to appropriate Journeyperson compensation per site and skillset which you are classified under, and
- Eligible to apply for an UAW journeyperson card.
The primary responsibilities of an apprentice include:
- Follow established safety procedures according to OSHA standards and company procedures
- Responsible for the maintenance and repair of manufacturing equipment
- Analyze and troubleshoot malfunctions in equipment and related components, diagnosing and correcting the problems quickly to avoid production delays
- Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on all plant manufacturing equipment
- Promote teamwork and show a willingness to work with other departments
- Participate in continuous improvement activities
- Read and interpret drawings and wiring schematics
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills
Roles which Apprentices can be placed in include:
- Die Maker
- Electrician
- Experimental Assembler Inspector
- Experimental Laboratory Paint Technician
- Machine Repair
- Millwright
- Metal Model Maker
- Wood Model Maker
- Pattern Maker (Metal,Wood)
- Pipefitter
- Toolmaker
The Apprenticeship Program is currently offered in multiple locations throughout the United States including:
- Indiana (Bedford, Fort Wayne, Marion)
- Kansas (Fairfax)
- Kentucky (Bowling Green)
- Michigan (Bay City, Factory Zero, Flint, GM Tech Center - Warren, Lansing, Milford, Orion, Pontiac, Rochester, Romulus)
- Missouri (Wentzville)
- New York (Lockport, Tonawanda)
- Ohio (Defiance, Toledo)
- Tennessee (Spring Hill)
- Texas (Arlington)
Relocation and travel expenses will be the responsibility of the applicant.
All on-the-job-training and related-instruction hours are paid to the apprentice at a competitive rate. The apprentice also receives a tool and book allowance, up to $1,800, while also being eligble for benefits.
Together, let's drive. We’re making electric vehicles for all.
You're in the right place if you're interested in learning more about how you can become a part of GM's Apprentice Program, where you'll help us reach our vision of zero congestion, zero emissions and zero crashes. Take a moment to read details about apprenticeship requirements, FAQs, and more, and if you're ready to take the next step, join our talent community here.
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If you're ready to take the next steps towards an all-electric future, join our talent community to stay connected.
Join our apprenticeship talent community