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Ingersoll Rand Foundation Donates $500,000 to High School Automotive Classes

THE SHOP Staff November 29, 2017

2 minute read

The Ingersoll Rand Foundation has awarded 50 high schools in eight cities a total of $500,000 in grant monies since 2015 to fund improvements to their automotive technology programs. The Ingersoll Rand Real Tools for Schools program awards high schools with $10,000 grants to enhance education for students in automotive technology programs with updated equipment, supplies, instructor training and curricula.

Since 2014, there has been a decline in the enrollment in automotive career and technical education programs nationwide due to lack of teachers, restricted school budgets, high operational costs and other factors. Yet, automotive technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and employers prefer to hire automotive technicians and mechanics who have completed a formal training program.

“These students are the future of the automotive industry. Ingersoll Rand supports technical education because it prepares students for career success and enhances job readiness,” said Austin Lieb, vice president of product management at Ingersoll Rand Power Tools.

In addition to the grants, Ingersoll Rand Power Tools employees engage with participating high schools to provide seminars, hands-on training and learning enrichment experiences for students enrolled in automotive technician programs.

Additionally, automotive technology students and teachers nationwide are also eligible for discounts to purchase Ingersoll Rand power tools.

For more information about the Real Tools for Schools program, visit myir.com/RealtoolsRealSchools/

Schools that have received Real Tools for Schools grants include:

Annandale, New Jersey