Ryder donates $50,000 to help women seeking careers as maintenance technicians

by Truck News

MIAMI, Fla. — The Ryder Charitable Foundation, which directs charitable giving and support on behalf of Ryder System announced its grant of $50,000 to the Universal Technical Institute Foundation (UTIF) today.

UTIF is a nonprofit organization that supports post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. Ryder’s donation will help educate the next generation of female commercial vehicle technicians by providing grants and scholarships to women, including female veterans, who are committed to obtaining their auto/diesel degree from a UTI campus.

 “Ryder continues to take the lead in supporting initiatives that draw more women – including female veterans – to the commercial transportation industry,” said Patrick Pendergast, group director of recruiting services, Ryder. “We are excited to work with the Universal Technical Institute Foundation in making auto/diesel education more accessible to female applicants in need.”

The $50,000 grant will help fund two programs.

First is a $30,000 donation specifically earmarked to give female veterans priority to UTIF’s Veterans at Work: Military Transition Fund program. This will provide short-term funds to help veterans bridge the gap between the time it takes for them to start their technical education and for their veterans benefits to take effect.  This funding enables veterans to get settled, start school, find a part-time job, and get on their feet without having to worry about the cash flow dilemma.

The remaining $20,000 donation will support UTIF’s Women’s Technical “Strong Start” Awards campaign, which leverages Ryder’s commitment to women entering the auto/diesel field by earmarking its contribution to provide Strong Start awards specifically to female applicants committed to obtaining their technical auto/diesel degree from a UTI campus.

 “Ryder’s support of technician education, and particularly women in this field, is so greatly needed and appreciated,” shared Jennifer Maher, CEO/executive director of UTIF. “Currently only 3% of our students are female, and yet with the industry’s great workforce demand, there are enormous opportunities for women to thrive in the transportation industry. Ryder’s commitment to women, veterans and technical education is exemplary.”.


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