Ford Motors has traditionally led the way as an American automaker. Ford, a recognized name in the US and around the world, has historically prided itself on supplying customers at home and abroad with cars and on employing many Americans. Recently, at an event called “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy” in Michigan, Ford's leaders discussed current challenges facing the US market and how the Company aims to address them.
What is “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy”?
“ACCELERATE the Essential Economy” is a meeting that brings together a variety of individuals to discuss the economy's plight, including business leaders, policymakers, skilled trades professionals, and educators. This year's meeting, which was the second in the event's history, was held in September 2026. The event took place at Michigan Central Station. The event's location is just as significant as the content discussed there and the action plan that developed as a result. Michigan Central Station was revitalized through the hard work and dedication of the American workforce. It took 3,000 skilled hands to bring Michigan Central Station back to life. Today, it serves as a venue for cross-sector solutions to closing America's skilled trades gap.
Ford was one of the companies that participated in this year's ACCELERATE conference. Joining the effort are major founding and partner organizations, including The Home Depot, The Wallace Foundation, and Dycom. Collectively, Ford and its coalition partners are supporting a national public education campaign that will launch in 2027 to attract more young American workers to the skilled trades. The campaign uses research from institutions, including an Ad Council study showing that 38 percent of students would consider a trade career, but only 11 percent plan to pursue one after high school. The study found that limited knowledge and lingering stigmas were the main hurdles that the coalition seeks to overcome.
Ford's Action Plan
Ford and its partners have developed a comprehensive plan to encourage young American workers to explore skilled trades professions and gain better access to career opportunities. To start, Ford's philanthropic branch, Ford Philanthropy, is expanding transportation and mobility support in cities and towns across the country, ensuring that transportation barriers do not impede career ambitions. Additionally, Ford Pro is launching Ford Pro Advantage, an industry-first certified pre-owned program for Class 1-7 commercial vehicles across its national network of more than 700 Commercial Vehicle Centers, making commercial vehicle ownership more accessible for business owners. Lastly, Ford Philanthropy and JPMorganChase announced $550,000 in joint support for Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based nonprofit providing education and job training, alongside the launch of the Michigan Launchpad for Industrial Innovation & Transformation (Michigan LIFT).
Contact us at Camelback Ford today to learn more.