TYSONS, Va. (Nov. 15, 2019)—Ford Motor Company has contributed $100,000 to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Foundation’s Workforce Initiative.

“Ford is acutely aware of the current automotive service technician shortage,” said Frederiek Toney, president, Global Ford Customer Service Division. “The NADA Foundation’s Workforce Initiative is just one program Ford is supporting to raise awareness of and access to training and job opportunities in this growing field.”

In 2019, the NADA Foundation launched the initiative that features a new website, nadafoundation.org, which includes the first and only interactive U.S. map of training and scholarship opportunities available for aspiring technicians, as well as videos featuring a variety of technicians highlighting their careers and the challenging nature of their work. One video example features Scott Walker, a service technician at ADESA Auto Auction outside of Washington, D.C.

“Ford joins an esteemed group of car and commercial truck manufacturers that support the NADA Foundation’s efforts to spark an interest in service technician careers,” said Annette Sykora, chairman of the NADA Foundation and 2008 NADA chairman. “Together, we can work together to attract great talent to our dynamic industry.”

Sykora, dealer principal of Smith South Plains Ford Lincoln in Levelland, Texas, added that her dealership over the years has helped young men and women find fulfilling careers locally in the automotive industry.

“Automotive technicians keep our families mobile and company fleets running by providing the necessary maintenance and repairs to our customers’ cars and trucks,” Sykora added. “These technicians have life balance and the means to provide financial stability for their families. Seeing them grow in knowledge and skill in a job they enjoy is heartwarming to an employer.”

To date, other contributions to the NADA Foundation’s Workforce Initiative include $100,000 from Toyota Motor North America, $50,000 from PACCAR (Kenworth and Peterbilt), $50,000 from Hyundai Motor America, $50,000 from the National Auto Auction Association, $25,000 from Porsche Cars North America, and $25,000 from Isuzu Commercial Trucks of America.

For more details, visit nadafoundation.org.