As vehicles become more and more complex, things can go wrong with them that require skilled service support. Frederiek Toney, the head of Ford’s global customer service division, says that the automaker is “acutely aware” of the current automotive service technician shortage. Toney notes that the NADA Foundation Workforce Initiative is just one of the programs that Ford supports to raise awareness and access to training and job opportunities in the growing automotive service field.
Ford recently donated $100,000 to the NADA Foundation Workforce Initiative that was launched this year. Part of the initiative is a new website at nadafoundation.org that includes the first, and only, interactive U.S. maps of training and scholarship opportunities available for aspiring technicians.
The website also highlights the technicians and the challenging work they do. NADA’s Annette Sykora said that Ford is now part of an “esteemed group” of car and commercial truck makers that support the NADA Foundation’s efforts to bring new people to service technician careers.
Sykora says that automotive technicians keep families mobile and company fleets running with necessary repairs and maintenance. She also says that the techs have a life balance and the means to give financial stability for their families. Ford isn’t the only major supporter of the NADA Foundation.
It also received $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, and $25,000 from Porsche Cars North America. The service industry is growing rapidly, and many more service technicians are needed, but a lot of people who might do well in the industry don’t know how to get started, the foundation wants to make that start easier. The service industry is also changing with some service being performed where the customer lives, Ford Mobile Service aims to enter that growth area.
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Source: Auto Remarketing
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