BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford Motor Co. and Google have formed a coalition to increase access to skilled trades training and help employers address demand for technicians, builders and other skilled workers.
The Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades brings together workforce initiatives already supported by the four companies in 30 states.
The companies cited an estimate from JLL that 2.1 million skilled trades positions could remain vacant by 2030. The projected openings include jobs for technicians, electrical workers and builders supporting construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
The alliance will seek to increase awareness of skilled trades careers and make training opportunities easier to access. Its members will also support apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships that provide paid, on-the-job learning.
Burning Glass and Jobs for the Future will partner with the organization on a report examining workforce gaps, measuring progress and sharing workforce development practices.
The alliance plans to expand beyond its four founding members by working with other companies, labor groups, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. The companies said the initiative will build on existing partnerships with labor unions, trade associations and professional organizations in the electrical and construction sectors.
BlackRock’s Future Builders initiative will provide $100 million in grant funding over five years. The funding is intended to connect 50,000 workers with skilled trades training and support them through training completion and licensing. The program will also provide financial education tools.
Carhartt’s For the Love of Labor program has provided support to more than 60 nonprofit and community organizations since 2022. The organizations work to provide education and training while helping address skilled trades job openings.
Ford has committed $300 million to skilled trades workforce development and the Essential Economy in 2026. The company includes construction, manufacturing, energy, public services, transportation and logistics within the Essential Economy.
Google has committed $50 million to training initiatives supporting 14 labor unions and four trade and contractor associations. The company expects the programs to prepare more than 300,000 people in more than 20 states for skilled trades careers.
Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford, said, “At Ford, we recognize the skilled trades workforce shortage is a national crisis but also a generational opportunity. Skilled trades are at the heart of what we call the Essential Economy, the 95 million Americans who build, move, and fix the things our country depends on every day. You see it across our own business, from the tens of thousands skilled tradespeople and technicians in our plants and dealerships to the millions of workers who rely on Ford Pro vehicles to do the jobs that keep our country running. These vital trades and industries form the backbone of the American economy, and their future is America’s future. Ford’s work is inseparable from America’s, and we are honored to join these great companies who are also committed to securing our nation’s future.”
Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, said: “Building the physical infrastructure for America’s future requires significantly increasing the pipeline of skilled tradespeople across the country – a challenge that can only be addressed with collective action. Google is proud to help launch the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, expanding on our years of investment to both strengthen pathways to enduring opportunities in high-demand careers and increase economic opportunity for communities across the country – powered by collaboration across industry, civil society, and government.”
Jul 22, 2026
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