Ford dealers and Ford Fund, Ford Motor Company’s philanthropic arm, are investing $2 million in scholarship assistance across ten regions to help students pursue careers as automotive mechanics. The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship offers 400 need-based grants to students in post-secondary auto programs throughout 20 states and 292 qualifying schools.
The automobile sector continues to experience a technician crisis, with over 400,000 needed by 2027. The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, now in its second year, provides possibilities for rewarding, well-paying professions as the industry transitions to electrification and software integration.
“As vehicles become more advanced, we need highly skilled technicians to maintain and service them,” stated Elena Ford, Ford’s Chief Dealer Engagement Officer. “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 offered to those seeking automotive technology degrees or certificates in the ten selected locations, and it covers a variety of educational fees. The scholarship is valid for all attendance costs, including tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation. Throughout the students’ educational journey and career transition, Ford dealers in each region will provide counsel, on-site training, and career coaching.
“Each technician plays an important part in driving our communities ahead. To address the present lack of technicians in the transportation industry, and because diversity drives innovation, we must make the field more accessible to people from all backgrounds,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO 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 the TechForce Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting students seeking technical education and jobs as professional technicians. Ford is happy to collaborate with TechForce to provide $5,000 in financial aid to students pursuing education and training in auto and auto/diesel at a variety of authorized institutions.
For Makenna Enga, a student at UTI-Phoenix, this scholarship means breaking free from typical professional routes.
“I am extremely passionate about pursuing a technical education in automotive technology for many reasons,” Enga said in a statement. “To begin with, a rather obvious one is the scarcity of women in the sector. Nobody in my family has learned a trade, but I believe I was born for it.”
Last year’s contribution directly resulted in $1 million in scholarships for 200 students from four regions: Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.
Students applying 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, or Cincinnati. The application process is open from March 4 to August 31, 2024. Scholarships will be provided on a rolling basis, with applications considered as they are received.
To learn more about the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, or to apply, please visit the TechForce website.