Serving as a pillar of American industry, Ford continues to drive innovation in the automotive sector. Known the world over, Ford takes pride in delivering stellar vehicles to its customer base while employing a significant portion of the American workforce. At a Michigan-based summit titled “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy,” Ford's leadership recently analyzed the economic challenges impacting the U.S. and shared their comprehensive response plans.
What is “ACCELERATE the Essential Economy”?
“ACCELERATE the Essential Economy” acts as a strategic gathering for policymakers, business leaders, skilled trades professionals, and educators to deliberate on the economy. The event's second iteration was held in September 2026 at Michigan Central Station. The historic location was just as inspiring as the actionable solutions it hosted. Brought back to its former glory by 3,000 skilled workers, Michigan Central Station is now a modern venue for cross-industry efforts to bridge America's skilled-trades gap.
Ford teamed up with influential founding partners at the conference, including The Wallace Foundation, Dycom, and The Home Depot. Collectively, this group is backing a 2027 national education campaign to attract young American talent to the skilled trades. Utilizing an Ad Council study, the campaign highlights a critical disconnect: 38 percent of students are open to trade careers, but only 11 percent intend to pursue them after high school. The coalition's mission is to erase the main obstacles of societal stigma and educational unawareness.
Ford's Action Plan
Ford and its coalition partners have designed an extensive program to encourage young Americans to enter the skilled trades and gain better career access. Ford Philanthropy is leading the charge by expanding mobility support nationwide, ensuring that transportation limitations do not impede professional goals. Additionally, Ford Pro is launching Ford Pro Advantage, a pioneering certified pre-owned program for Class 1-7 commercial vehicles across its 700-plus Commercial Vehicle Centers, streamlining ownership for entrepreneurs. To conclude, alongside the introduction of the Michigan Launchpad for Industrial Innovation & Transformation (Michigan LIFT), Ford Philanthropy and JPMorganChase awarded $550,000 to Focus: HOPE, a Detroit nonprofit focused on job training.
Contact us at Prosper Ford today to learn more.