Opportunity is Coming: Blue Oval - by Don Polley
Opportunity is Coming
I attended Blue Oval City: Meet Ford and Blue Oval SK. They had a representative panel on hand to discuss concerns and opportunities for the community, region, and for students that are currently in school. There were business, civic, education, and chamber leaders on hand to listen to what Ford had in mind as Blue Oval City was tabbed by Ford to lead the shift to an electrified America.
I suppose before I elaborate from my point of view I should point to the highlights of the discussion. Ford is investing 5.6 billion dollars in Blue Oval City. Their plan is to implement clean manufacturing, which will translate to 6000 stable jobs. SK, in a joint venture with Ford will be producing and recycling batteries for the three new vehicles to be produced at the site. They will also operate two plants in Kentucky as Ford intends to utilize JIT manufacturing principles.
From a preservationist’s point of view, Ford intends to be carbon neutral and produce zero waste to landfill. In essence, parents and students, this is going to be the biggest change in the automotive industry in 119 years. Mr. Kell, the plant manager, has portrayed this undertaking as being a revolution and not an evolution in automotive manufacturing. For those students in school interested in being a part of a cutting-edge new development, here is your chance to align yourself to opportunity.
For other students that may be looking to make a living wage and earn a decent living without going to school for six to eight years to obtain a degree, here is your opportunity. Look for Ford to invest in TCAT’s that will groom their workforce to meet the needs provided by such a tremendous investment. It was indicated that there would be a TCAT built at Blue Oval City to meet the needs at Blue Oval and promote a manufacturing point of view so that they can build a workforce that will be committed to success. They want employees willing to be resilient and embrace the challenges that lie ahead and stay with the company for the benefits and the satisfaction of building from the ground up to the consumer.
Why Pick West Tennessee?
The panel responded to the question as to why West Tennessee was with a variety of reasons. Physicals such as rail, interstate system, and infrastructure. The other factors included tax rates, a good TCAT network already in place, a workforce and trust in the communities. Ford plans to produce the Ford Lightning pickup truck, the Ford E-Transit van, and the Mustang Mach-E. Andy Bianco was a part of the team in Jackson this week and he was a former schoolteacher in Ohio. He is responsible for workforce development and training centered on trying to get local people to get involved with K-12, HBCU, University, Community Colleges and TCAT.
Ford desires to employ a local and diverse workforce including women and minorities. Vanessa Presson, SK’s HR Manager, is a UTM graduate along with Westar and was formerly with Tyson. It always helps to have familiarity with your base in the workforce. She has also been a single parent and will be working to alleviate barriers of childcare and transportation solutions. Students, the opportunity is there if you have the dedication, belief in yourself, and perseverance to pursue it. It will not be handed to you, but if you are willing to make a difference, then be the difference you are trying to make. Personally, I dreamed of having such an opportunity when I graduated high school, so by all means please show me what I missed! I will be in your corner all along the way cheering you on. Just look at the gentleman in the picture with the Lightning, he is ready to get one for himself.
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” –Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
Don Polley | Education contributor
(Contact don@donpolley.com)
