Ford Helps Establish Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades

Ford Motor Company, Google, global asset manager BlackRock and workwear brand Carhartt have collaborated to launch the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, a new initiative focused on expanding access to training and helping meet the growing workforce needs in the U.S. The companies have independently committed to supporting skilled workforce training initiatives in 30 states across the U.S.

According to research from investment management firm JLL, 2.1 million skilled trades positions could go unfilled by 2030, including for electrical workers, technicians and builders.

Through the Alliance, the companies aim to multiply their impact in three areas:

1. Build the skilled trades pipeline by broadening access and increasing exposure to the trades for more Americans.
2. Scale evidence-based workforce development approaches such as investing in apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships programs that create opportunities to earn and learn on the job. The Alliance will also partner with Burning Glass and Jobs for the Future on a report to help measure gaps, track progress and share best practices.
3. Expand the partnership to like-minded industry, labor, education and nonprofit organizations to reach more workers and communities across the country.