Ford Michigan Central Station Project Giving Jobs to Youth
Photo: Ford Motor Company
One of the benefits of Ford’s investment in the once-rotting Michigan Central Station is the interlinked creation of several jobs. Ford this past summer launched a program for students, seniors, and recent graduates of vocational and technical schools that will help provide on-the-job training and move along the restoration of the proud depot.
Ford reports that a dozen high school students from the Randolph Technical School in Detroit took part in masonry projects throughout the city, including on the planned headquarters for the automaker’s new Corktown campus. The students are paid hourly and receive mentoring and one-on-one guidance, and in return they help address a shortfall of trade workers in the city.
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It’s anticipated that the program could grow to as many as 40 students over the next several years and could branch out into additional trades.
Currently, seven of current and former students from Randolph are on the team doing brick and masonry work at Michigan Central Station. Among them is 18-year-old Maguel Ligon, who will spend the next two years working to restore the building with lead contractor RAM.
“I always wanted to work on construction, but I didn’t know how to do it.” said Ligon. “Everybody thinks you have to go to college after school but there are so many other things you can do. I’m ready to learn.”
President Roburt Mazur hopes that the apprentice program will bring in more students as it addresses future projects in Detroit.
“Currently there are not enough people who live in Detroit with the skills we need for projects like the train station,” said Mazur. “We’re happy to give long term career opportunities to these students and give them the tools to succeed.”
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