The Essential Economy — critical industries like manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, and energy, among many others — keep our communities moving forward.

And now more than ever, the next generation needs access to the tools, resources, and skills to help succeed in these fields.

As Ford CEO Jim Farley recently wrote in a column for Time,“We’re going to need over 400,000 new auto techs in the next three years just to keep pace with demand. The construction industry is short half a million workers today, and manufacturers need 419,000 more workers for expanding factories.”

At Ford Philanthropy, our mission is to move people forward and upward, focusing our efforts to support the jobs that make up our essential economy.

So, what does this actually look like?

We offer scholarships that cover the cost of tools and certifications — costs that often hinder people from pursuing valuable careers in growing fields like advanced manufacturing and automotive.

We fund innovative mobility programs to help students get to and from class or training programs, so transportation isn’t a barrier to completion.

Most importantly, we ensure students and teachers have the resources they need to help build the skills they need.

Preparing the next generation for future careers is more critical than ever.

This is why, as part of the Ford Essential Workforce Initiative, Ford and Ford Philanthropy are proud to announce several new investments that build on our support for workforce development, totaling over an additional $5 million for 2025-2026 and projected to benefit over 100,000 students and educators across the United States, including:

• Introducing Ford Future Builders Labs in Michigan and Tennessee. These state-of-the-art labs provide modern K-12 classroom tools, enabling teachers to deliver an innovative, hands-on learning experience that blends academic learning with practical skills like 3D printing, laser cutting, and coding, helping students prepare for 21st-century careers.
  
  Today, five of these labs can be found in classrooms in Southeast Michigan and West Tennessee. In 2026, 10 additional labs will be installed in Marshall and Battle Creek, Michigan, in partnership with the State of Michigan.
  

• Partnering with SkillsUSA to expand advanced manufacturing and automotive programs. This programming will engage high school students in Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and New York in SkillsUSA’s state and national skills competitions, and provide tools and technology relevant to manufacturing and automotive industries, and support career exploration through plant tours and mentorship from Ford’s manufacturing teams.

• Creating the Ford Philanthropy Advanced Manufacturing & Trades SkillPointe Scholarship in partnership with SkillPointe Foundation. This new scholarship program will cover the cost of training, credentialing, tools, and related expenses for students and apprentices pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
  

• Expanding our Ford Auto Tech Scholarship in partnership with TechForce Foundation. Since 2023, Ford Philanthropy and Ford Dealers have collectively invested $7 million, providing $5,000 scholarships to over 1,400 students across 46 states.
  
  These scholarships support individuals pursuing auto and diesel degrees or certifications, ensuring a robust pipeline of qualified technicians.

As the job market continues to change, and key industries like manufacturing and automotive need skilled workers, our goal at Ford Philanthropy remains simple: to modernize hands-on learning, remove financial barriers to participation, and inspire students by showcasing exciting future careers within the advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors.

We're dedicated to empowering students, teachers, and communities to not just prepare for, but thrive in, the future.

Mary Culler is president of Ford Philanthropy.