Partnering with TechForce to support the workforce behind fully autonomous ride-hailing
Autonomous vehicles are a growing, strategically important technology for the U.S., and new approaches are needed to help Americans of all backgrounds find opportunities as it expands. Today, we’re delighted to announce a new partnership with the TechForce Foundation, the only national nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of professional technicians across U.S. transportation sectors, to do just that.
Through this partnership, Waymo will fund 28 TechForce tuition scholarships for students and working technicians enrolled in technical and community college programs, as well as create resources for tens of thousands of people across the U.S. To start, these scholarships will be awarded to students and working technicians in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston, and Miami, and we’ll explore expanding the partnership’s scope as we grow together.
“This partnership with Waymo will help open new doors to opportunities for students & working technicians in the emerging electric and autonomous vehicle industries,” said TechForce Foundation CEO, Jennifer Maher. “Together Waymo and TechForce will help prepare students for careers in fields like automotive technology, robotics, and mechatronics, opportunities that will multiply as emerging transportation technologies expand around the U.S.”
Waymo’s expansion is already a catalyst for local economic growth, and our investment with our partners creates thousands of roles across the communities we serve. Together with partners like Amerit, Avis Budget Group, Moove, Terawatt, Transdev, and others, we’re bringing a broad spectrum of new kinds of careers in driving operations, fleet maintenance, and electrical engineering that support our safe, convenient, and magical ride-hailing service.
“Waymo’s infrastructure investments and expanding services create opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds by bringing a wide variety of new, non-college and trades-work roles to communities around the U.S.,” said Justin Kintz, Global Head of Public Policy at Waymo. “We’re proud to partner with TechForce to support students and working technicians, further their technical education, and create thousands of career opportunities that support this amazing American innovation.”
Partnerships for the future
The partnership is the latest initiative within Waymo’s broader commitment to workforce development, which began in 2023 when we joined forces with LA-Tech.org to launch the LA Tech x Waymo Career-Readiness Institute. The 16-week registered pre-apprenticeship program for underserved youth in Los Angeles has helped prepare more than 200 students for careers in tech, provided opportunities to learn about automated vehicle technology and the career paths in the industry, and connected students with over 100 Waymo staff for lasting mentorship.
As autonomous technology continues to evolve, so will the careers that sustain it. Waymo is proud to play a role in supporting this next generation of talent, and to build a workforce that’s ready to keep our communities and fleets safely on the road for decades to come. Our mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver, and forming partnerships with local and national organizations to bring more people on this journey is fundamental to that mission.
Dreaming of a career that brings this future of transportation to more people around the world? If you’re a student in a community college or technical program focused on automotive transportation, apply for a scholarship at https://techforce.org/waymo-scholarships/.