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
- North Montco Technical Career Center
- Old Bridge High School
- Warren County Technical School
- Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School
- Union County Vocational-Technical School
- Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools
Charlotte, North Carolina
- Maiden High School
- South Mecklenburg High School
- West Stanly High School
- East Gaston High School
- Indian Land High School
- Jay M Robinson High School
- Lincoln County School of Technology
Dallas, Texas
- Career Center East
- Duncanville High School
- Ben Barber Career Tech Center
- R.L. Turner High School
Fort Worth, Texas
- Polytechnic High School
- Green B. Trimble Technical High School
- North Side High School
- Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
- Oscar Dean Wyatt High School
Davidson, North Carolina
- Davie County High School
- Statesville High School
Kent, Washington
- Auburn High School
- Bellevue High School
- Bates Technical High School
- Kentlake High School
- Puget Sound Skills Center
Madison Heights, Michigan
- South Lake High School
- Fordson High School
- Roseville High School
- Fitzgerald High School
- Chippewa Valley High School
Nashville, Tennessee
- Stewarts Creek High School
- Maplewood High School
- Antioch High School
- McGavock High School
Southern Pines, North Carolina
- Richmond Senior High School
- Overhills High School
- Cape Fear High School
- Robeson County Career Center
- Union Pines High School
- Pinecrest High School
- Lee County High School
- West Montgomery High School
- East Montgomery High School
- North Moore High School