SkillsUSA, Lyft and Ford Launch Transportation Program to Close “Last Mile” Gap for Students Pursuing Skilled Trades Careers

New ride-credit program aims to provide over 3,000 rides across 13 cities, helping SkillsUSA student members access critical training, apprenticeships, and job interviews

ATLANTA, GA (June 4, 2026) – Today at the SkillsUSA Workforce Development Summit held during the 62^nd annual National Leadership & Skills Conference, Lyft and Ford Philanthropy announced a new transportation program to help students pursuing careers in the skilled trades reach critical training, job interviews, and apprenticeships. Launching this summer, the new ride-credit program expands on Lyft and Ford Philanthropy’s ongoing support for SkillsUSA, the leading workforce development organization for students, and aims to close the ‘last mile’ transit gap that often prevents students from attending and completing critical apprenticeship and training programs.

“Reliable transportation is essential to workforce readiness,” said Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA. “A student’s career potential should never be limited by a lack of transportation. Through our partnership with Ford Philanthropy and Lyft, we are removing transportation barriers, which expands access to family-sustaining jobs and strengthens the workforce pipeline our nation and communities rely on.”

To target resources where they are needed most, the program allows SkillsUSA advisors, the trusted mentors working closest with students, to request ride credits for students experiencing transportation barriers. These credits aim to cover critical, career-related travel, including daily commutes to apprenticeships, job interviews, and off-site technical training. Students can redeem their credits for Lyft rides or utilize Lyft-operated bikes and scooters where available.

“Transportation is often the invisible barrier standing between a motivated student and a skilled trades career. It’s exactly the kind of problem Lyft exists to solve,” said Jerry Golden, Chief Policy Officer, Lyft.” We’re proud to partner with SkillsUSA and Ford Philanthropy to remove that barrier, putting ride credits directly in the hands of students who need them most.”

Starting this July, ride-credits will be made available to SkillsUSA advisors in 13 cities across the United States. These locations were selected to address transportation gaps in both major metropolitan areas and mid-sized cities where public transportation options can be limited:

• Midwest & Great Lakes: Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Lima, and Kansas City
• Northeast & South: New York City, Buffalo, Atlanta, Louisville, and Nashville
• West: Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

Supported by a $100,000 grant from Ford Philanthropy, this initial pilot is expected to cover approximately 3,000 rides for SkillsUSA-affiliated students through the end of 2026.

“We know that supporting the next generation of skilled workers requires looking at the entire student journey,” said Mary Culler, President, Ford Philanthropy. “By joining forces with SkillsUSA and Lyft, we are providing vital wrap-around support that solves real-world challenges like daily transportation. Our goal is to ensure students have a clear path to complete their training and secure long-term success.”

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 16 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

About Lyft

Whether it’s an everyday commute or a journey that changes everything, Lyft is driven by our purpose; to serve and connect. Founded in 2012, Lyft has grown into a global mobility platform offering a mix of rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, executive chauffeur services, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across six continents and thousands of cities. Millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides – helping to create a more connected world, with transportation options for everyone.

About Ford Philanthropy

With a more than 75-year legacy of service, Ford Philanthropy works alongside our nonprofit partners to help move people forward and upward, all around the world. Harnessing Ford’s resources, mobility expertise and dedicated volunteers through the Ford Volunteer Corps, we connect people with food and other essentials, equip students with skills for the future, and help communities become more resilient.  Since 1949, Ford and Ford Philanthropy have contributed more than $2.5 billion to local communities, and Ford employees have spent more than two million hours volunteering globally. Learn more at fordphilanthropy.org or follow @FordPhilanthropy on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.