DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich.— AFT President Randi Weingarten joined General Motors representatives, district leaders, educators and students at the Michael Berry Career Center on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, to launch a groundbreaking “Manufacturing Futures” initiative that will prepare 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year for careers in one of the nation’s most in-demand industries.
The program is backed by a $500,000 investment from General Motors and brings manufacturing career pathways directly into middle and high school classrooms in the Detroit Public Schools Community District and Dearborn Public Schools.
“If we want to prepare students for well-paid, middle-class careers in fields like robotics or welding, we have to start engaging them early, linking their passion and curiosity with purpose,” Weingarten said. “That’s why the AFT, GM, and Detroit and Dearborn public schools are focusing on ensuring that students in middle school see a clear path to a rewarding, well-paying career in advanced manufacturing. This initiative not only will help Southeast Michigan’s students thrive, but also will help build the talented future workforce that this community deserves.”
“Every student deserves the chance to chart a bright path toward the future. General Motors is proud to partner with the AFT Educational Foundation to launch the Manufacturing Futures initiative and bring hands-on technology and manufacturing experiences to 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year,” said General Motors Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship David Massaron. “By connecting students to these highly valuable training and mentorship opportunities, we’re helping young people build the skills and confidence to shape what’s next for themselves and their communities.”
Manufacturing Futures is administered by the AFT Educational Foundation, and will roll out for Dearborn and Detroit students this fall. The initiative will place 3D printers, robotic arms and hands-on manufacturing activities in eight middle school classrooms across the two districts, while connecting students with existing career and technical education high school programs.
The grant is also outfitting a newly equipped construction trades classroom at Dearborn Public Schools’ Michael Berry Career Center. Paid student ambassadors will work as near-peer mentors to help their fellow students navigate the program.
The program introduces middle school students to advanced manufacturing careers through curriculum, hands-on activities in equipment-outfitted classrooms, guided tours of CTE high school manufacturing facilities, peer mentorship and family engagement, creating a clear, supported pathway into high school manufacturing coursework.
“This investment comes at a perfect time as the District launched its High School Redesign work this fall to expand college and career programming districtwide at the high school level, especially through our neighborhood schools. Through the leadership of GM and AFT, and with partnership of the DPSCD Foundation, we will now be able to provide our middle school students in multiple feeder schools with the exposure to learning experiences that prepares them for manufacturing programs when they enter high school,” said Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD.
The program is expected to reach 2,800 students annually. The 24 high school students who will serve as CTE ambassadors will be trained and paid stipends of $500.
“Middle school is a critically important time for exploration and self-discovery, and high school provides career pathways that help our students grow,” said Mike Esseily, Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools. “Early exposure to real-world opportunities allows our students to align their interests and skills while building the knowledge and confidence they need to reach their full potential. ‘Manufacturing Futures’ delivers advanced technology and manufacturing resources to bring those high-impact experiences into our classrooms, and we are deeply grateful to the AFT and General Motors for their commitment to our students’ futures.”
The initiative builds on the AFT Education Foundation’s work to scale its Advanced Technology Framework CTE curriculum, currently being piloted in 12 districts across New York. That work was cut short in 2025 when its federal grant was canceled as part of a Commerce Department realignment, but it is now being revived and sharpened with GM’s generous support and crucial input from Detroit and Dearborn public schools on specific pipeline needs.