Ford has joined BlackRock, Google, and Carhartt to establish the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, a workforce initiative focused on expanding access to skilled-trade careers.

The alliance plans to develop a stronger pipeline between training programs and available jobs while examining workforce efforts already underway across the country, according to a press release. The founding companies also intend to publish a Skilled Trades Report and recruit additional organizations to participate.

Bringing Together Several Existing Workforce Programs

BlackRock recently launched its Future Builders initiative, which plans to invest $100 million over five years to support the training and placement of 50,000 skilled-trade workers.

Google has supported training for occupations such as electrical, plumbing, and welding work, while Carhartt operates its Join the Trades workforce platform.

Ford said its involvement builds on the automaker’s broader workforce development work. The company recently partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand and update the automotive technology training program within Detroit Public Schools.

Ford has also been working with Carhartt on technician recruitment and training. The automaker previously reported approximately 5,000 open technician positions across its dealership network, underscoring the hiring challenge facing the automotive service sector.

According to Fortune, the alliance is beginning with training programs in 30 states and plans to expand the effort nationwide.