TechForce has announced a million dollars in scholarship funds to support those in automotive education donated by the Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford dealers across Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.

Scholarships will be administered through TechForce and will be awarded to students that are currently enrolled in “post-secondary auto or auto and diesel technician training programs in the Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix areas.” The scholarships may be used by students for school-related costs such as “tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation.”

According to data from TechForce Foundation, “despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide.” As EVs become more common and old systems are phased out, the demand is expected to increase.

Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer at Ford, said that the growing number of EVs on the market require “skilled” technicians that are “proficient in STEM-related study.”

“These scholarships will go a long way in engaging students, particularly those from under-resourced communities, to consider careers in automotive technology and service,” TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher stated.

Applications are due by June 30. Those who apply will be informed of their status “on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer.”