Toyota has announced a $1.7 million investment to increase opportunities for underrepresented students and assist them in earning engineering degrees.
The automaker has teamed up with three US institutions of higher education in Kentucky to help change the face of engineering. The programme will provide full-tuition scholarships to female and minority students; along with needed resources to earn an engineering degree from either the University of Kentucky (UK) or University of Louisville (UofL). Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC) is also part of the collaboration; with students first acquiring a two-year associates degree before enrolling in an engineering programme.
BUILDING DIVERSE TALENT PIPELINE
Emmanuel Collins, Dean of the University of Louisville’s JB Speed School of Engineering highlighted the programme’s focus on increasing diversity and inclusion in engineering. “There is critical shortage of women and minorities in the engineering workforce,” pointed out Collins. “Toyota’s investment and partnership to help diversify our talent pipeline perfectly aligns with the university’s goals. We are grateful to be a part of this collaboration.”
Stephen Brennen, Vice President of Production Engineering at PEMC, also believes that strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline and staying ahead of customer demands will require new ways of thinking. “Not only for the continued growth and innovation of the field, but also to help Toyota move forward as we work toward our mobility vision for the future,” noted Brennan.
INCREASING GENDER & ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Around 35 students will be selected to receive full-tuition scholarships over a five-year period, this autumn. The students will be mentored by Toyota engineers. They will also get the opportunity to participate in a paid co-op opportunity with the company; earning between $17 and $21 per hour. Additionally, students will complete two to three rotations that will provide critical hands-on experience in multiple areas of the field. “Toyota has been a long-time partner of UK since locating in Kentucky nearly 35 years ago,” commented Rudolph Buchheit, Dean of UK College of Engineering. “This is another example of Toyota seeing a need and stepping up to do something about it. It’s imperative to increase gender and ethnic diversity among our faculty, staff and students.”
“Diversity creates rich and productive workplaces and communities. We are pleased to join Toyota and our university partners to create opportunities for students,” added BCTC’s provost, Greg Feeney.
Commenting on the investment and partnerships, Susan Elkington, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, stated: “Building a stronger Kentucky will require deliberate and sustainable efforts to provide equal access to quality education. This programme will give more people a chance to build great careers in fields like engineering. Toyota is committed to providing resources, time and knowledge to help build stronger communities in which we operate. We’re thankful for great education partners that have the same mission.”
The automotive industry continues to grapple with diversity challenges as women continue to be underrepresented at all levels. Click here to see why.
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