New $52,000 endowment invests in future automotive leaders at Georgian College

Jan. 30, 2026

The Canadian Ford Dealers & Affiliates Pension & Financial Wellness Program, in partnership with Ford Motor Company of Canada, has committed a combined $52,000 to scholarships at Georgian College’s Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) to support the next generation of automotive professionals.

This investment in the future will create a permanent endowment for ABSC students and establish the Driving Excellence Award, benefiting ABSC students in Automotive Business (Co-op) diploma and Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Automotive Management) (Co-op) degree programs.

“To celebrate our Pension Plan’s 30-year milestone, we are proud to support future retail automotive leaders at ABSC,” said Donald Carson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Canadian Ford Dealers & Affiliates Pension & Financial Wellness Program. “Ford of Canada’s invaluable support makes this endowment even more impactful. Dealerships thrive on the strength of their products, people, and customer relationships. Offering a pension plan is a strategic move that pays dividends: customers notice when employees are treated well, and people work differently when they feel valued. This endowment, made possible with Ford of Canada, demonstrates our investment in our team’s future and the industry’s success.”

The award commemorates 30 years of a pension and financial wellness program for dealership employees developed by the Canadian Ford Dealers. The award helps a student prepare for leadership roles in a rapidly evolving industry. Each year, the award will be presented to full-time students who demonstrate academic excellence (GPA of 80 or higher), financial need and a passion for the industry.

The inaugural recipient is Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Automotive Management) student Sierra Hoey. In receiving the award, Sierra reflected on its significance: “This investment not only eases financial stress but also encourages students like me to strive for excellence. I am truly grateful for your commitment to developing future automotive professionals and for believing in the value of education and hands-on experiences.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Canadian Ford Dealers & Affiliates Pension & Financial Wellness Program and Ford Motor Company of Canada for their combined investment in the next generation of automotive leaders,” said Jason Dale, executive director of the Automotive Business School of Canada. “This generous gift will have a lasting impact on students, reducing financial barriers as they prepare for careers in our evolving industry. Congratulations to the Canadian Ford Dealers & Affiliates Pension & Financial Wellness Program on its three decades of service to the industry and for this forward-looking investment.”

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Media: For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Media Relations at mediarelations@georgiancollege.ca.

At Georgian College, students are at the heart of everything we do. As a recognized leader in career-focused education and hands-on learning, Georgian is more than an education ― it’s an experience! We offer more than 130 market-driven programs, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships. Georgian excels at applied, work-integrated learning, supported by small class sizes and comprehensive student services. Our dedication delivers results: Georgian consistently ranks among Ontario’s top colleges for graduate employment at 90.3 per cent. We are also Canada’s only Ashoka U Changemaker College—recognized for leadership in social innovation—and our broader institutional impact contributes significantly to economic growth and workforce development across the regions we serve.