Toyota Kentucky Invests in Tomorrow’s Workforce
The next engineer. The next skilled technician. The next community leader. Across the Bluegrass, young people are building futures filled with possibility, and Toyota Kentucky is creating pathways to help them reach their goals.
Toyota Kentucky announced today that it has awarded $1.4 million in grants this year to nonprofit organizations across Central Kentucky.
Investing in Kentucky’s Future
The grants support hands-on STEM education, mentoring, workforce training and career placement programs that help to equip students and job seekers with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to succeed.
“When students can see a future for themselves, incredible things happen,” said David Fernandes, president of Toyota Kentucky. “We’ve seen young people progress from robotics competitions and mentoring programs to college classrooms and on to rewarding careers. That’s the kind of long-term impact these investments create.”
Recognizing Community Impact
As the automaker’s largest plant celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company recognized four organizations with special $40,000 grants – representing key priorities in the company’s community investment strategy: workforce readiness, STEM education and community resilience.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass helps empowers young people through transformative mentoring relationships.
- AMEN House addresses food insecurity and helps students and families navigate times of need.
- Jubilee Jobs of Lexington connects people with meaningful employment through workforce training and career support.
- Kentucky FIRST Robotics prepares students for future careers through hands-on STEM and robotics experiences.
Creating Opportunities That Last
Together, these organizations help young people build confidence, support families through challenging times and connect Kentuckians with educational and career opportunities that strengthen the region’s workforce.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to see themselves as an innovator and leader,” said Kelli Gowan, executive director of KY FIRST Robotics. “Toyota Kentucky’s support helps open doors for young people across Kentucky by giving them hands-on experiences that build the technical and teamwork skills that they need for the future.”
Since breaking ground in Georgetown in 1986, Toyota Kentucky has invested over $166 million in charitable causes throughout the Commonwealth.