As the mobility industry accelerates toward electrification, automation and advanced manufacturing, one question looms large: who will service and maintain the innovative technologies powering the future?
At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, Washtenaw Community College (WCC) demonstrated that the answer lies at the intersection of education, industry partnership and hands-on workforce training.
During the Auto Show’s Industry Days, WCC hosted a Mobility Global Forum panel discussion with industry experts that examined how Michigan can sustain its leadership role by investing in talent development. The panel, titled “Driving Michigan’s Future as a Mobility Leader through Education & Workforce Development,” featured voices from higher education, government and industry, exploring how training pipelines must evolve alongside rapidly changing technology.
Held on the main show floor stage, the discussion focused on the talent, technology and cross-sector collaboration needed to keep Michigan competitive in the global mobility economy. Joining Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College President, were Justine Johnson, Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer, and Jennifer Tisdale, Upstream Security Senior Director of Strategic Engagements, North America. The panel was moderated by Komal Doshi, Walker-Miller Energy Services, Vice President of Beneficial Electrification & Mobility.
Education built for real-time industry demand
At the core of WCC’s approach is a simple but powerful idea: workforce education must move at the speed of industry. For more than a decade, the college has evolved its mobility and transportation programs in close partnership with employers, starting with the launch of its Advanced Transportation Center and expanding into today’s advanced mobility ecosystem.
This evolution was on full display at the Auto Show, where WCC showcased its transportation and mobility workforce education programs and facilities. Attendees saw firsthand how the college integrates cutting-edge technology into its curriculum, including instruction supported by an EV and battery lab and a semiconductor lab -- facilities designed to mirror the environments students will encounter on the job.
A highlight of the exhibit was WCC’s new 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the latest addition to a fleet of 12 electric and hybrid vehicles used for hands-on student training.
Students gain experience across platforms, systems and technologies by working with EV and hybrid vehicles from five different automakers. This cross-platform exposure prepares graduates not just for one job or company, but for long-term careers in a rapidly evolving field.
From research to the classroom –- and the workforce
WCC’s leadership in mobility education goes beyond equipment and labs. The college is the only community college participating in the University of Michigan-led Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT), funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. Through this partnership, WCC helps translate cutting-edge research into practical classroom learning and workforce training, ensuring innovations in connected and automated transportation reach both students and employers.
This research-to-workforce pipeline reflects WCC’s broader mission: bridging the gap between emerging technology and the skilled trades and technical professionals needed to support it. Whether students are preparing for roles in EV service, advanced manufacturing, battery technology or cybersecurity for mobility systems, the focus remains on applied learning tied directly to employer needs.
Apprenticeships and work-and-earn pathways
WCC’s commitment to advanced mobility careers extends into apprenticeship and work-and-earn models that lower barriers to entry while meeting employer demand. The college is Michigan’s only community college to host the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program, an employer-led model that combines paid work experience with classroom instruction.
This model will be highlighted during additional Auto Show–related programming hosted by the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN). Recent WCC apprenticeship graduates -- now working in industry -- will join faculty, employers and partners for a panel titled “The Future of Mobility Careers” Jan. 21-22.
Held during the Auto Show’s high school student attendance days, the discussion will emphasize how early exposure, clear career pathways and employer partnerships connect students directly to high-demand mobility careers.
Building Michigan’s talent advantage
Together, these conversations and showcases tell a consistent story: Michigan’s mobility future depends on talent, and talent depends on education that is responsive, inclusive and aligned with industry realities.
By convening leaders at the Auto Show and demonstrating its programs on the show floor, WCC continues to reinforce its role as a critical connector between students, employers and the technologies shaping the next era of transportation.
From EVs and batteries to semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and connected systems, Washtenaw Community College is preparing the next generation not just to participate in the mobility economy, but to lead it.
Click or tap here to learn more about WCC’s program offerings.