Ford Philanthropy and Ford Dealers have announced a $4 million investment in their automotive technician scholarship program, aiming to address the growing national shortage of skilled workers.
The initiative will provide $5,000 scholarships to 800 students across the U.S., including those in West Tennessee, to pursue careers in the automotive field.
In addition, the investment comes as Ford projects a critical demand for 471,000 automotive technicians by 2028, leaving three open positions for every graduating technician. The scholarship program, which students can apply for through September at TechForce.org, is part of Ford’s broader effort to strengthen the workforce as vehicles become more advanced.
The automaker is actively training the next generation of automotive service professionals by equipping dealerships with the resources needed to service vehicles.
The latest $4 million commitment builds on previous investments. In March 2024, Ford Fund—now rebranded as Ford Philanthropy—announced a $2 million investment in scholarships across 10 U.S. regions. In 2023, Ford and its dealers also contributed $1 million toward similar scholarships.
Furthermore, Ford’s involvement in workforce development extends beyond scholarships. In January, the company unveiled its Good Neighbor Plan, a $9 million community investment initiative in West Tennessee focused on workforce training, community building, and environmental sustainability. Ford is supporting communities near its $5.6 billion BlueOval City campus in Haywood County, where the company will begin producing a new EV truck model in 2027.
With a total of $30 million invested in West Tennessee to date, Ford is positioning itself as a leader in both automotive innovation and workforce development, ensuring the industry has the skilled professionals needed to support the future of mobility.
