Ford and Carhartt CEOs: Solving the Skilled Trades Crisis

When TIME magazine and Statista named Ford as America's Most Iconic Company, it wasn't just about manufacturing prowess. The recognition highlighted how the automaker has shaped culture and society since 1903.

Now, Ford is leveraging that status to address one of America's most pressing challenges: developing the skilled trades workforce.

Ford and Carhartt, two Detroit-born companies with century-long legacies, have formalised a new multi-year strategic partnership focused on strengthening what they call the "Essential Economy".

Announced at the Detroit Auto Show by Ford CEO Jim Farley and Carhartt CEO Linda Hubbard, the collaboration targets three critical areas: workforce development, community building and durable products for demanding jobs.

Discussing the announcement on LinkedIn, Jim says: "Ford and Carhartt have been working together on job sites for 100 years, now we're excited to step into a new partnership that makes sure America's workers have the best equipment and gear they can get."

Addressing the skills gap

The partnership comes as Ford positions itself not just as an automotive manufacturer but as a workforce developer. Bill Ford, Ford's Executive Chair, explained the company's modern approach, according to TIME: "Just as my great-grandfather put the world on wheels to give people the freedom of movement, our approach to the modern era is rooted in that same spirit.

"We are leveraging our position as the largest hourly auto employer in the US to ensure that the future of transportation is built by American workers for everyday American families."

The workforce development component centres on expanding fast-track training programmes with high schools and community colleges. Ford is enhancing support for Ford Auto Tech Scholars, providing funding for tools, credentialing fees and transportation needs.

Carhartt is outfitting the next cohort of Ford Auto Tech Scholars in custom gear, directly supporting new technicians entering the trades.

Building infrastructure for tradespeople

Beyond training, the partnership addresses practical barriers that skilled workers face. Ford and Carhartt are bringing ToolBank to Detroit, creating a hub that lends, stores and repairs tools for local organisations and workers. The facility could supply more than 5,000 volunteers and 25,000 tools annually.

The Detroit ToolBank doubles as a training ground for the next generation of tradespeople, with Ford donating an F-150 with ProPower On Board to extend its reach.

"Hamilton Carhartt founded our company on a simple principle: listen to hardworking people and build products that help them do their jobs safely and effectively," Linda says. "For 136 years, we've stood with the skilled trades by making durable gear they can rely on. We're excited that our partnership with Ford will help us advance this important work."

Improving working conditions

The partnership also tackles day-to-day working conditions through a collaboration with Cintas. Ford, Carhartt and Cintas launched a programme to equip dealership technicians with durable uniforms designed for the rigorous demands of modern service bays. Through a managed programme, uniforms are professionally cleaned, inspected and repaired or replaced.

"Our work together represents our commitment to providing our customers with apparel that works as hard as they do," said Todd Schneider, President and CEO at Cintas.

This focus on workforce development aligns with Jim's broader Ford+ strategy, which includes restructuring the company in 2022 into distinct units: Ford Model e for EVs, Ford Blue for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and Ford Pro for commercial services.

"This is such a great match because we're all committed to making sure workers have the best equipment and gear that they can get," Jim says. "Who better to expand their mission and bring the next hub to this great city than two iconic Detroit companies, Ford and Carhartt."

Tyler Hill, Senior Manager at Ford Global Licensing, summed up the partnership's philosophy: "Carhartt's DNA is all about hardworking people, doing incredible things with their rugged apparel, which is as necessary as the tools they use - just like our trucks serve builders as tools for their trade."