Auto Care Association Launches ‘Tools for Tomorrow’s Technicians’ High School Vocational Grant Program
BETHESDA, Md. – April 9, 2026 – The Auto Care Association’s Tool and Equipment community today announced the launch of a new grant opportunity designed to support high school automotive vocational programs. The “Tools for Tomorrow’s Technicians” vocational grant program aims to help high schools in the United States address their critical needs for tools and equipment in today’s classrooms. Through this initiative, high school classroom instructors and program leaders are encouraged to share their program’s story and to outline challenges related to outdated tools or limited resources.
“The Auto Care Association’s Tool and Equipment Community recognizes how important it is to address the current technician workforce shortage in our industry today,” said Joe Sabo, chair, Tool and Equipment community, Auto Care Association. “That’s why we—as well as our valued members—are focused on attracting, retaining and growing the next generation of automotive technicians. We hope this new Tool and Equipment vocational grant will help our vocational career schools and colleges better prepare these students for those careers.”
Submissions will help industry professionals to better understand current classroom needs and to identify opportunities where tools, equipment or other support can make a meaningful impact on student learning and workforce readiness.
Grant submissions will be accepted from April 1 through Aug. 31, 2026. Following the submission period, the Tool and Equipment community will review requests and determine which needs and grant opportunities can be fulfilled, with decisions finalized by Sept. 30, 2026.
High school automotive instructors can submit their program information and needs through the online survey available here.
This initiative reflects the Auto Care Association’s ongoing commitment to strengthening automotive education and ensuring students have access to the tools, equipment and industry support necessary to succeed in careers within the automotive aftermarket.
The Tool and Equipment Community’s mission is to educate, inform, represent, and serve as industry advocates for Right to Repair, while providing networking opportunities for manufacturers and distributors who specialize in supplying the tools and equipment essential for vehicle repair and maintenance. The community is also committed to supporting the next generation of technicians through partnerships with organizations such as SkillsUSA, fostering growth and innovation across the automotive aftermarket.
Additional details are available in the accompanying graphic.
Visit autocare.org/tool-and-equipment to learn more about the Tool and Equipment community.
