Gitnux/Report 2026

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Automobile Industry Statistics

GM’s $2.3 billion investment from 2021 to 2025 and Ford’s $1.2 billion reskilling push sit alongside a stark signal that 28% of workers will need AI and machine learning upskilling by 2025, even as most programs now blend simulators, online certification, and LMS platforms to cut time-to-competency. If you want to see how the industry is closing skill gaps fast enough for EV, batteries, and software, this page connects the training spending, the adoption rates, and the real outcomes.
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13 days agoUpdated
Upskilling And Reskilling In The Automobile Industry Statistics
Daniel VargaWritten by Daniel Varga·Edited by Samuel Norberg·Fact-checked by Olivia Thornton
Last verified Jun 21, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

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Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Dec 2026
Eighty one percent of automotive companies report critical skills gaps. GM committed 2.3 billion dollars to workforce development and reskilling. Ford spent 1.2 billion dollars on reskilling programs over the same period.

Key Takeaways

  • $2.3 billion invested by GM in workforce development and reskilling from 2021-2025
  • $1.2 billion spent by Ford on reskilling programs from 2022-2024
  • $3.8 billion global market for automotive training platforms in 2023
  • 71% of auto manufacturers use AI-powered learning platforms for upskilling in 2023
  • 54% of automotive companies use gamification in training for technical skills in 2022
  • 38% increase in use of online certification programs for automotive skills in 2022
  • 80% of automotive industry associations have launched reskilling task forces in 2023
  • GM opened 5 'EV Skills Centers' to train 50,000 workers by 2025
  • Automotive industry contributed $3.5 billion to global workforce development funds in 2022
  • 81% of automotive companies have identified critical skills gaps in 2023
  • 28% of automotive workers need upskilling in AI and machine learning by 2025
  • 22% reduction in time-to-competency after reskilling in automotive in 2023
  • 42% of automotive companies have established dedicated reskilling centers in 2023
  • 53% of automotive suppliers have launched reskilling initiatives for electrification in 2023
  • 63% of automotive companies report difficulty finding talent with AI/ML skills in 2023

Automotive leaders are rapidly scaling reskilling with AI and online training, investing billions to close critical skills gaps.

Related reading

01 · Category

Training Investment3 stats

01
$2.3 billion invested by GM in workforce development and reskilling from 2021-2025
02
$1.2 billion spent by Ford on reskilling programs from 2022-2024
03
$3.8 billion global market for automotive training platforms in 2023
Interpretation

Training Investment Interpretation

With GM and Ford alone committing over $3.5 billion to workforce reskilling between 2021 and 2025, the automotive industry's training investment is accelerating rapidly to address the technological shift toward electrification and automation.

02 · Category

Technology Adoption4 stats

01
71% of auto manufacturers use AI-powered learning platforms for upskilling in 2023
02
54% of automotive companies use gamification in training for technical skills in 2022
03
38% increase in use of online certification programs for automotive skills in 2022
04
74% of automotive reskilling programs include hands-on simulators in 2023
Interpretation

Technology Adoption Interpretation

The automotive industry's technology adoption for reskilling is now so advanced that nearly three-quarters of manufacturers rely on AI-powered learning platforms and hands-on simulators, signaling a decisive shift from traditional training to immersive digital tools.

03 · Category

Industry Initiatives4 stats

01
80% of automotive industry associations have launched reskilling task forces in 2023
02
GM opened 5 'EV Skills Centers' to train 50,000 workers by 2025
03
Automotive industry contributed $3.5 billion to global workforce development funds in 2022
04
73% of automotive companies offer reskilling for employees at no cost in 2023
Interpretation

Industry Initiatives Interpretation

The automotive industry's massive investment in workforce development is underscored by the fact that 80% of its associations launched reskilling task forces in 2023, signaling a coordinated and urgent industry-wide initiative to address the electric vehicle transition.

04 · Category

Skills Gap2 stats

01
81% of automotive companies have identified critical skills gaps in 2023
02
28% of automotive workers need upskilling in AI and machine learning by 2025
Interpretation

Skills Gap Interpretation

The staggering reality that 81% of automotive companies now face critical skills gaps reveals an industry-wide urgency that demands immediate upskilling and reskilling efforts to stay competitive.

05 · Category

Performance Metrics1 stats

01
22% reduction in time-to-competency after reskilling in automotive in 2023
Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

The 22% reduction in time-to-competency after reskilling in 2023 shows that targeted training programs are delivering measurable improvements in workforce performance within the automobile industry.

More related reading

07 · Category

Skills Gap Analysis3 stats

01
63% of automotive companies report difficulty finding talent with AI/ML skills in 2023
02
59% of automotive engineers require upskilling in battery technology by 2025
03
52% of automotive companies identify software development as the most needed upskilling area in 2023
Interpretation

Skills Gap Analysis Interpretation

The skills gap analysis reveals that over half of automotive companies urgently need to address a shortfall in software development expertise, which is now more critical than even the widely recognized gaps in AI and battery technology.

08 · Category

Training Methods3 stats

01
71% of automotive training programs incorporate microlearning modules in 2023
02
66% of automotive companies use online learning platforms (LMS) for reskilling in 2023
03
44% of automotive companies use mentorship programs as part of reskilling initiatives in 2023
Interpretation

Training Methods Interpretation

The widespread adoption of microlearning by 71 percent of automotive training programs in 2023 underscores a clear shift toward bite sized digital modules as the primary method for upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

09 · Category

Impact & ROI1 stats

01
33% reduction in safety incidents after reskilling automotive workers in safety protocols in 2022
Interpretation

Impact & ROI Interpretation

A 33% drop in safety incidents shows how reskilling automotive workers in safety protocols delivered a clear and measurable return on investment in 2022.
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Upskilling And Reskilling In The Automobile Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-automobile-industry-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Upskilling And Reskilling In The Automobile Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-automobile-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Upskilling And Reskilling In The Automobile Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-automobile-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

23 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

gm.comforbes.comtrainingindustry.comstatista.comsimulationtoday.comsae.orgworldbank.orgbenefitspro.commedia.ford.comkpmg.comgartner.comibm.commarketsandmarkets.comweforum.orglearntech.comacademia.edugrandviewresearch.comhr.comoecd-ilibrary.org

+4 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)