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Ford & Bloomberg Fund Detroit Auto Tech Training
9 Jun
Summary
- Ford and Bloomberg Philanthropies invest $5 million in Detroit.
- Funds will modernize and expand auto tech programs in two high schools.
- Goal is to quadruple student auto technician capacity by 2028.
Ford Motor Co. and Bloomberg Philanthropies have committed a landmark $5 million investment to enhance auto technician training within Detroit Public Schools. This significant funding will be allocated to modernize and expand existing programs at Breithaupt Career and Technical Center and revive the vocational program at Western International High School.
The joint initiative aims to quadruple the district's capacity to train student auto technicians by 2028. By upgrading facilities with modern tools and technology, expanding access to certifications and internships, and investing in educator training, the program seeks to prepare students for high-demand jobs in the automotive service industry.
This investment is a direct response to the growing national shortage of skilled auto technicians. Ford CEO Jim Farley has emphasized the critical need for skilled trades, projecting a requirement for over 350,000 new auto technicians nationwide by 2029, with approximately 7,000 needed in Michigan alone.
