From March 15-20, 2025, educational leaders from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, Scotland, will embark on an exciting journey to metropolitan Detroit, where they will explore cutting-edge educational and talent development initiatives. This transformative experience is sponsored by The Wood Foundation, a Scottish charity with a global outlook, through its Excelerate investment.
The visit is organized in partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), which is dedicated to supporting high school transformation through career academies and business-education partnerships. Over two days, the group will visit Romeo Community Schools, including the Academies of Romeo High School and the newly designated Academies at Romeo Middle School, to witness firsthand how Ford NGL is driving systemic change and shaping the future of education.
In addition to the Romeo experience, the group will also tour Michigan Central and NewLab, home to over 100 startups working on cutting-edge research and development. Here, the group will explore how organizations like Google CodeNext, Code 313, and the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan are fostering career pathways for the next generation of technical and entrepreneurial talent.
A key part of the tour includes a visit to the Ford Rouge Factory, where the group will learn about the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow. They’ll also spend an afternoon at The Henry Ford Museum, delving into the Model i framework and Innovate curriculum that inspire innovative mindsets in students.
This event showcases the power of the Ford NGL network—where communities, schools, and organizations come together to learn, grow, and innovate in ways that support the transformation of education and talent development. The collaboration between international partners, local educators, and industry leaders exemplifies the power of shared knowledge and collective action, as we continue to strengthen the community-connected movement.
Stay tuned for more as this exciting journey unfolds, and follow along as we continue to learn and grow together to drive transformative change for all.
Special thanks to Janelle Arbuckle-Michael for coordinating the Michigan Central and NewLab experiences, as well as to Amanda Hayes and Olivia Marsh for organizing the Ford Rouge Factory and Henry Ford Museum experiences. Their work ensures this event will be a meaningful and impactful experience for all participants.
