Ford Fund & Dealers Invest $2M in Scholarships to Tackle Tech Shortage
The U.S. automotive industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled technicians, with a current annual gap of 37,000 trained professionals. To tackle this issue, Ford Motor Co., through its philanthropic arm Ford Fund, and a group of Ford dealers are investing $2 million in scholarships for aspiring automotive technicians. The TechForce Foundation will administer these scholarships, aiming to attract the next generation of talent and address the labor shortage.
The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship fund will award up to 400 need-based scholarships of $5,000 each to students enrolled in post-secondary automotive programs at 292 eligible schools in 20 states. Applications are open from March 4 through August 31. Students must reside or study in specific metro areas to be eligible, including Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Miami, and Seattle. The scholarships can be used to cover tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation. In addition to the scholarships, Ford dealers will provide career guidance and training opportunities to the recipients. The automotive industry hopes these initiatives will create job opportunities and drive growth in the sector.
By 2027, the U.S. will need an additional 400,000 automotive technicians. The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship program is a significant step towards bridging this gap. The scholarships, administered by the TechForce Foundation, will be awarded on a rolling basis as they are reviewed, ensuring that the next generation of automotive technicians has the support they need to succeed.
