Detroit youth program uses engine building to drive workforce development

As national conversations continue around youth employment, workforce development and skilled trades, one Detroit-based summer program is taking a hands-on approach to preparing the next generation for careers in Michigan’s signature industry.

The Engine Building Bootcamp (EBB), founded by longtime motorsports advocate Carmen Carter through the National Motorsports Association (NMA), is returning this summer for its fourth year, offering metro Detroit youth a unique opportunity to gain automotive knowledge, workforce skills and mentorship — all at no cost to families.

Designed for students entering grades 8 through 10, the five-week program runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and combines academic enrichment with hands-on automotive training. Participants will engage in math, literacy and STEAM-based learning while gaining real-world experience in engine disassembly and assembly, motorsports fundamentals and professional skills development.

By the end of the summer, students will have worked together to build a beginner-level engine from the ground up.

“The EBB program is about exposure, opportunity and confidence,” said Carmen Carter, founder of the NMA and the Engine Building Bootcamp. “During the summer and beyond, we have to be intentional about how we introduce young people to genuine career pathways. For many of these students, this is their first time seeing themselves in spaces connected to engineering, motorsports and skilled trades.”

Founded with the goal of addressing gaps in youth workforce development, the program seeks to expose students early to careers in automotive technology, engineering and skilled trades — industries facing growing labor shortages in Michigan and across the country.

For Carter, the initiative represents more than summer enrichment. She sees it as a long-term investment in Detroit youth and the preservation of the region’s automotive legacy.

“We’re building confidence, building skills and yes, building engines,” said Carter. “When a student can walk away and say, ‘I helped build that engine,’ it shifts how they see themselves and what they believe they’re capable of.”

In addition to technical training, students receive daily mentorship and workforce readiness support from certified teachers, industry professionals and community leaders. Organizers say the program emphasizes teamwork, discipline and problem-solving while maintaining an environment that is engaging and supportive for students and families.

The bootcamp also provides free breakfast and lunch daily, helping ensure accessibility for families across the tri-county area. Field trips are also planned throughout the summer.

The program has received support from several organizations, including Summer Discovery, The Ballmer Group, United Way of Southeastern Michigan, The Skillman Foundation and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association/Detroit Auto Show.

Organizers hope the program will continue to serve as a pipeline into high-demand automotive and motorsports careers, helping prepare future technicians, engineers, mechanics and skilled trade professionals while strengthening the state’s workforce.

Registration for the Engine Building Bootcamp is now open for eligible students. Families interested in enrolling, can do so, here.

The program is also hiring instructors and interns with interests in youth development, education and workforce training.

As the bootcamp expands, Carter emphasizes that the focus remains on increasing access, strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities for Detroit youth to explore career pathways that could shape their futures.

“Michigan has long been the heart of the automotive industry, and Detroit sits at the center of that legacy,” said Carter. “If we want to sustain that momentum, we must be intentional about investing in the next generation.”