Ford Motor Company Fund today announced the creation of a new job training and entrepreneurial development center that will assist approximately 200 people a year, part of a five-year, $4 million investment in community building across the African continent.
The new Ford Resource and Engagement Center, slated to open in October, will be located near Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant outside of Pretoria, South Africa. It is the second resource center of its kind created by Ford Fund, the philanthropic branch of Ford Motor Company, and is modeled after the original Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Southwest Detroit.
The new center marks the first international expansion of the highly successful project Ford Fund launched to bring nonprofit community services together in a collaborative environment. Ford will invest more than 2 million rand (R 2 million) annually in job training there.
“Ford Fund has a proud tradition of strengthening the communities that are home to our employees, dealers, suppliers and customers,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “As our company expands throughout the African continent, we are bringing our innovative community investment programs to new regions to create a better world.”
Ford is joining with Future Families, a South Africa-based nonprofit that provides services to families and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS, in operating the new center. The organization will create a range of training packages designed to prepare clients for finding jobs after graduating from Ford Resource and Engagement Center. Courses will include career guidance and presentation skills, financial literacy, business and entrepreneurial skills, as well as training for vocational and technical jobs such as plumbing, caregiving, computer and office work.
Since opening in Detroit three years ago, the original Ford Resource and Engagement Center has assisted more than 80,000 local residents through a range of social and cultural services, including providing 1.2 million pounds of food and helping to complete 6,100 tax returns. In total, the Detroit Resource and Engagement Center has returned $3 in services to local community members for every $1 invested by Ford and nonprofits.
Ford Fund works globally by making strategic investments focused on building communities, improving education and promoting driving safety as part of its Operation Better World initiative.
In South Africa, Ford Fund programs add to economic investments the company is making in the region. Last month, Ford announced it is investing $170 million to expand operations at Silverton Assembly Plant by adding production of the all-new Ford Everest SUV – a move that will create 1,200 new jobs.
“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.”
Ford Fund’s investment in the new center will total more than 11 million rand (R 11 million), or $750,000, over five years. It is the latest development in Ford’s growing community presence across Africa as the company delivers on its broader goal of making people’s lives better. Over the next five years, Ford Fund will expand its signature education scholarships, grants and training programs across the continent, as well as bring additional Driving Skills for Life, Volunteer Corps and other community improvement projects to Africa.
