PEKIN, Ill. – The Ford Motor Company fund has announced that
they will be growing their philanthropic branch. With the creation of a new
entrepreneurial development center, Ford
Motor Company brings innovative job training to South Africa. This
development will help around 200 people annually.
Modeled after the original Ford Resource and Engagement Center
in Southwest Detroit, the Pretoria, South Africa location aims to create a
blend of training packages to prepare students to find jobs after graduating
from the Ford Resource and Engagement Center. Career guidance and presentation
skill tips will be offered. Courses will be available in financial literacy,
business and entrepreneurial skills, vocational, and technical training. This
development center marks the first global expansion of Ford’s philanthropic
branch.
“Our Ford Better World philosophy is more than just a series
of projects – it permeates everything we do as a company,” said Jeff Nemeth,
Ford president and CEO, Sub Saharan Africa region. “Social, environmental and
economic sustainability are all interlinked and cannot be taken in isolation
from one another. We are proud of this investment in our community and,
ultimately, our people. Education plays a significant role in our lives and
these projects will allow the community to benefit from our contributions to
the economy.”
As well as the Ford Resource and Engagement Center in
Pretoria, Ford has also made a number of investments and been involved in
philanthropic activities across Africa. These include:
·
The Blue
Village initiative in Port Elizabeth. Every year employees from the
Silverton Ford Assembly Plant help to create new homes in the village of
Vastrap. The Blue Village initiative supports education and development.
·
Ford
College Community Challenge Program. Student-led community projects in
Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa benefitted from a $100,000 investment
to support the Ford College Community Challenge program. Each project addresses
local needs and supports sustainable living and working conditions.
·
Riders
for Health delivers medical professionals and supplies across rural areas
of Africa. A $75,000 grant allowed extended vehicle management and training to
mechanics in order to maintain the vehicles used to deliver medical
necessities.
·
Henry
Ford Entrepreneurship Academy in Morocco. A $200,000 investment will allow
the academy to extend to Saudi Arabia.
·
Ford
Volunteer Corps is made up of Ford South Africa employees who have spent
over 6,700 hours on community service projects in South Africa.
·
Driving
Skills for Life is a program that provides hands-on experience for more
than 400 newly licensed students in Saudi Arabia.
Ford is dedicated to its philanthropic efforts both national
and globally.
Ford Motor Company brings
innovative job training to South Africa with the announcement of the new
Resource and Engagement center. This news continues the reach of the Ford
philanthropic branch, and we’re proud to report such globally relevant topics
to our customers on behalf of Ford Motor Company.
If you're also looking to make a difference this summer then stop in to Velde Ford in Pekin, IL! We can get you behind the wheel of a new
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Buying vs. Leasing page
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How to Buy and
How to Lease pages for more information on how each process works. If you're looking to keep your current car or truck running smoothly, be sure to
make an appointment online or call (888) 221-2804.
