From emergency vehicles and delivery fleets to daily commutes, auto technicians are essential to keeping our communities moving forward. Yet the auto technician workforce is facing a generational shift.
According to the State of the Skilled Trades Report, nearly 18,000 technicians are expected to retire over the next decade, making it critical to strengthen the talent pipeline.
To support the next generation of auto technicians, Ford Philanthropy and Ford dealers offer the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship in partnership with TechForce Foundation. Each year, 800 future auto technicians receive a $5,000 scholarship to help cover costs such as tuition, tools, transportation, and certification fees.
The good news is that aspiring technicians are answering the call.
In 2026, applications for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship surged, with more than 6,800 future auto technicians applying across 42 states.
Under the Hood: Snapshot of Our Ford Auto Tech Scholars
Applications for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship offer a snapshot of those pursuing careers as auto technicians:
- Regional demand: Application more than doubled in Southern California and tripled across Kansas City and Houston.
- Age: While candidates aged 18 to 21 make up the majority, 40% are 22 or older — reflecting a growing rise of career changers.
- Support beyond tuition: Nearly 1 in 3 scholarship recipients used funding for transportation, while 1 in 4 applied funding to support costs of living.
Building a meaningful career requires looking at the whole student journey. That’s why Ford Auto Tech Scholarships go beyond tuition to help students cover the costs of critical wrap-around support like tools, certification fees, and transportation that often stand in the way of completing their training.
What That Looks Like for One Student
This year, Noe Chico became a Ford Auto Tech Scholar. Chico has loved cars since high school, but after becoming a father, he put his career ambitions on hold.
Years later, with his daughter’s encouragement, he enrolled in the automotive program at Indian River State College, balancing early mornings at work with night classes.
He put part of his scholarship toward repairs on his 2006 F-150, which he relies on to get to campus and work every day. For Chico, the scholarship helped make his education possible in practical ways, allowing him to keep showing up for class and stay on track to become a technician.
A Program That Has Grown Since 2023
The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship is one of many ways Ford and Ford dealers support the next generation of automotive technicians.
Since 2023, the program has helped 2,200 aspiring technicians pursue their education and career goals.
Beyond scholarships, Ford offers paid, hands-on training, degree opportunities, and accelerated credentialing programs. Ford also partners with dealers and schools to introduce students to automotive careers.
The goal is simple: to help more people access education, complete their training, and build meaningful careers as automotive technicians.
To learn more about the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, visit www.TechForce.org/FordPhilanthropy.
Mary Culler is President of Ford Philanthropy. Elena Ford is Chief Dealer Engagement Officer at Ford Motor Company.
