Ford Dealers and Ford Fund Invest $2 Million in TechForce Scholarships to Train Future Auto Techs

Ford Dealers and Ford Fund Invest $2 Million to Train Future Auto Techs

Scholarships double in second year across ten regions nationwide, promoting diversity and removing financial barriers for students

DEARBORN, Mich., Mar. 4, 2024 — Ford Dealers and Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, are investing $2 million in scholarship funding in ten regions to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians. Spanning over 20 states and 292 eligible schools, the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship will grant 400 need-based awards to current or future students enrolled in post-secondary auto programs.

The automotive industry continues to face an ongoing shortage of technicians, with over 400,000 techs needed by 2027. Now in its second year, the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship creates opportunities for rewarding, well-paying careers as the industry moves toward electrification and software integration.

“As vehicles become more advanced, we need highly skilled technicians to maintain and service them,” said Elena Ford, Chief Dealer Engagement Officer at Ford. “Partnering with our dealers to invest in these students helps create job opportunities, shapes the future of our communities, and drives growth in our industry.”

The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship is open to individuals pursuing automotive technology degrees or certificates in the ten selected regions, covering various costs associated with their education and may be used for all costs of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation. During the students’ educational journey and career transition, Ford Dealers in each region will serve as a support system, offering advice, onsite training, and career guidance.

“Every technician plays a vital role in moving our communities forward. In order to solve the shortage of technicians the transportation industry currently faces, and because diversity drives innovation, we need to make the field more accessible for people of all backgrounds,” said Jennifer Maher, Chief Executive Officer of TechForce Foundation. “By partnering with Ford Dealers and Ford Fund to remove barriers to entry and increase greater economic mobility, we pave the way for more communities to thrive.”

The Ford Auto Tech scholarships will be administered by TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting students pursuing technical education and careers as professional technicians. Ford is proud to partner with TechForce to grant $5,000 per student in financial assistance for education and training in auto and auto/diesel at a wide range of accredited institutions.

For Makenna Enga, a student recipient from UTI-Phoenix, this scholarship means breaking free from traditional career paths. “I am extremely passionate about pursuing a technical education in automotive technology for many reasons. To start with, a pretty obvious one is the lack of women in the industry. No one in my family has studied a trade, but I believe I was made for it.”

Last year’s contribution directly resulted in 200 students receiving $1 million in scholarships across four regions: Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.

Students eligible for the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship must be pursuing a degree in one of the following regions: Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, Kansas City, Memphis, Miami, Seattle, and Cincinnati areas. The application process is open from March 4 through August 31, 2024. Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis and applications reviewed as received. To learn more about the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, or to apply, please visit the TechForce website.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 173,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the global philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund focuses on providing access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship opportunities for under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Ford Fund’s partnerships and programming are designed to be responsive to unique community needs, ensuring people have equitable opportunities to move forward. Harnessing Ford’s scale, resources and mobility expertise, Ford Fund drives meaningful impact through grantmaking, Ford Resource and Engagement Centers and employee volunteerism. For more information, visit fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $4 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

TechForce receives $1M donation from Ford Fund and dealers, the largest scholarship donation in its history

Ford Announces $1 Million Scholarship Program to Support Students Pursuing Careers as Automotive Technicians

  • Investment backed by Ford Fund and Ford Dealers will help meet the high demand for highly skilled automotive technicians across the industry

  • Scholarship program aims to foster diversity and reduce barriers for students pursuing careers in automotive service and technology by helping cover tuition and costs of attendance

  • New focus on STEM skills fuels upward professional and economic mobility as the industry moves toward electrification

DEARBORN, Mich., Mar. 30, 2023 – Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, is joining Ford dealers across four U.S. regions – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix – to provide a million dollars in scholarship funding to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians.

The auto industry has long faced a shortage of technicians due to fewer students entering and graduating from post-secondary programs, according to TechForce Foundation. Despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide. The gap is likely to widen over the next decade without new graduates as there are projected growth rates of 14% in Arizona, 10% in Texas, 7% in Georgia and 3% in Illinois for this career field respectively.

“As we move toward an electrified future, these career opportunities are exciting and require skilled technicians who are proficient in STEM-related study,” said Elena Ford, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “Working together with the Ford Fund and our dealers to offer this scholarship program means we will welcome a new generation of diverse students to the industry, and hopefully into our Ford family, to help us better serve our customers.”

The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship is open to current and future students who are enrolled in post-secondary auto or auto and diesel technician training programs in the Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix areas. This need-based scholarship is applied to a student’s school tuition account and may be used for all cost of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation.

“These scholarships will go a long way in engaging students, particularly those from under-resourced communities, to consider careers in automotive technology and service,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO, TechForce Foundation. “We’re excited about working with the Ford Fund and Ford Dealer partners to help create a path to careers students may not have considered before.”

Scholarships will be administered by TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit supporting students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. Ford is proud to partner with TechForce given their deep understanding and expertise of the essential skills required to build a diverse pipeline of auto technicians.

This program supports Ford’s greater mission to prepare, empower and grow the future workforce needed to service vehicles and customers to prepare for an electrified future including:

  • A focus on STEM-based curriculum in combination with hands-on learning
  • Reaching students early and reinforcing the opportunities available for upward professional and economic advancement
  • Collaboration with dealers through their involvement in participating schools, career fairs, shadowing days, mentoring, and internships

For more information and to apply for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship opportunity students can visit www.TechForce.org/FordFund.

Applications are due by June 30, 2023, and applicants will be notified of the results on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer.

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About Ford Fund
As the global philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund focuses on providing access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship opportunities for under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Ford Fund’s partnerships and programming are designed to be responsive to unique community needs, ensuring people have equitable opportunities to move forward. Harnessing Ford’s scale, resources and mobility expertise, Ford Fund drives meaningful impact through grantmaking, Ford Community Centers and employee volunteerism. For more information, visit fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially-disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

 

 

 

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"By connecting students, instructors, industry pros and working techs, the TechForce Foundation provides unilateral support to the transportation industry’s technician recruiting needs… The administration of our Scholarships by the TechForce team has been instrumental in delivering us with a successful method to gain interest from qualified candidates as well as provide our students with additional assistance to complete their education."
Tony Farr
Ford Technical Programs Manager