Ford Starts Technician Scholarship Fund
Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, is partnering with Ford dealers across four U.S. regions – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix – to provide $1 million in scholarship funding to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians, the automaker announced.
The program aims to address the industry’s shortage of technicians due to fewer students entering and graduating from post-secondary programs, Ford said. Despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide, according to the TechForce Foundation. 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, Ford said.
“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.
Applications are due by June 30, 2023, and applicants will be notified of the results on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer.
Click here for more information or to apply for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship opportunity.
