SkillsUSA partners with Ford to expand auto and manufacturing programs

The partnership is designed for high school and postsecondary students at schools within a 15-mile radius of Ford’s plants

Leesburg, Va.—SkillsUSA has partnered with Ford Philanthropy to expand advanced manufacturing and automotive programs and support students as they prepare for those careers.

The partnership has three key focus areas:

• Develop advanced manufacturing and automotive programs for high school and postsecondary students in Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and New York, with a focus on schools within a 15-mile radius of Ford’s plants.

• Establish a new grant to cover transportation costs to and from SkillsUSA programs and competition to help eliminate financial barriers for students who need it most.

• Provide Ford employees from Manufacturing, Auto Tech Recruiting, Collision, and Ford Plant teams to serve as judges at SkillsUSA competitions, mentor students, and lead plant tours to help expose students to different career paths in advanced manufacturing and automotive industries.

Ford announced the partnership with SkillsUSA, among other key initiatives, during FordPro Accelerate at Michigan Central Station in Detroit this past September. FordPro Accelerate focused on bringing together key industry leaders to have conversations around supporting the essential economy — critical industries such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, and energy, among many others.

Today’s advanced manufacturing and automotive careers are centered on technology management, data analysis and AI coupled with soft skills like problem solving, communication, adaptability and more.

“Careers in manufacturing and automotive look a lot different today,” SkillsUSA’s Executive Director Chelle Travis said. “Ford and SkillsUSA will ensure students are prepared with the employability skills they’ll need to be successful.”