Ford and Bloomberg Philanthropies Invest $5 Million in Detroit Auto Technician Training
Ford and Bloomberg Philanthropies are investing $5 million to expand auto technician programs at two Detroit Public Schools, aiming to train over 300 new technicians in three years.
350,000
$5 million
300
What Happened
Ford and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $5 million investment to expand and modernize auto technician programs at two schools within the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The partnership aims to train over 300 new technicians in the next three years by providing modern diagnostic equipment, helping students earn industry credentials, supporting educator training, and offering transportation for work-based learning.
The automotive industry faces a shortage of skilled technicians, with an estimated 350,000 new technicians needed by 2029, including 7,000 in Michigan. This initiative builds on Ford's existing programs like the ASSET initiative and Ford Auto Tech Scholarships.
- Modernizing classrooms with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and tools.
- Helping students secure industry credentials before graduation.
- Supporting educators with training on the latest automotive technology.
- Providing transportation support for work-based learning opportunities.
Why this matters
The U.S. auto industry will need over 350,000 new technicians by 2029, and this public-private partnership addresses the skilled labor shortage by modernizing training and removing barriers for students.
Terms in This Story
- service bay
- A designated area in an auto repair shop where vehicles are serviced and repaired.
- industry credentials
- Certifications that demonstrate a technician's competence in specific automotive skills.
- work-based learning
- Educational programs that combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.