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How do we build the technical talent pipeline for the future of the auto industry?

At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) took center stage in a powerful conversation about workforce transformation, skilled trades, and the energy transition shaping mobility’s future.

In this essential panel discussion, Scott Palmer, Partnership Director & Community Coach at Ford Next Generation Learning, shares how bold partnerships between K-12 education, higher education, and industry leaders are redefining how students discover high-demand careers in automotive, advanced manufacturing, and emerging mobility technologies.

Key Themes from Scott Palmer & Ford NGL:
1. Building a sustainable automotive talent pipeline
2. Meeting students where they are — digital engagement, social media, and real-world exposure
3. Expanding awareness of skilled trades, technical certifications, and postsecondary pathways
4. Creating hands-on, employer-connected learning experiences
5. Preparing students for EV technology, advanced diagnostics, and the future of mobility

Scott emphasizes that today’s students consume information differently, and if we want them in advanced manufacturing plants, EV labs, and high-tech automotive facilities, we must first reach them through the platforms they use every day.

Ford NGL’s model demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can transform career awareness into career readiness, ensuring students develop both technical credentials and transferable human skills needed for a rapidly evolving workforce.

As the auto industry undergoes its most significant transformation in decades from internal combustion to electrification and smart systems, Ford NGL is helping communities innovate thoughtfully, preparing students not just for today’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s economy.

This conversation also features leaders from Valvoline Global Operations and Macomb Community College, moderated by MichAuto, highlighting how collaboration across education and industry is essential to long-term economic growth.