As a leading force in American automotive history, Ford continues to forge the path forward. Recognized worldwide, the automaker takes immense pride in delivering top-tier vehicles to consumers and in employing countless Americans. At the recent Michigan summit, “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy,” Ford executives broke down the pressing issues facing the national market and how they plan to conquer them.
What is “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy”?
The “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy” event brings together policymakers, educators, business executives, and skilled laborers to discuss the nation's economic landscape. September 2026 marked the second edition of this summit, held at the historic Michigan Central Station. The setting provided a fitting backdrop for the actionable strategies developed there. Completely restored by the efforts of 3,000 skilled workers, Michigan Central Station is now a beacon for cross-sector collaboration to close the skilled trades gap in America.
Ford was a prominent participant at the conference, collaborating with founding partners such as Dycom, The Wallace Foundation, and The Home Depot. This united front is spearheading a 2027 public education campaign to inspire young Americans to embrace the skilled trades. Leveraging findings from the Ad Council, the initiative notes that while 38 percent of students express interest in trade careers, just 11 percent plan to enter the field after high school. The campaign is designed to strip away the primary barriers of lingering stigmas and lack of exposure.
Ford's Action Plan
To ensure young workers have the support they need to pursue skilled trades, Ford and its coalition have built an actionable blueprint. To begin, Ford Philanthropy is scaling up its transportation initiatives in communities nationwide, effectively removing mobility as a barrier to career success. Concurrently, Ford Pro is introducing Ford Pro Advantage—an innovative certified pre-owned program for Class 1-7 commercial vehicles that spans over 700 Commercial Vehicle Centers, simplifying access for business owners. Finally, in conjunction with the debut of the Michigan Launchpad for Industrial Innovation & Transformation (Michigan LIFT), Ford Philanthropy and JPMorganChase are providing $550,000 in support to Focus: HOPE, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to workforce education.
Contact us at Mall of Georgia Ford today to learn more.