OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2015. Ford Argentina carried out the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Henry Ford Technical School (HFTS), founded on April 6, 1965, to provide the local industry highly skilled technicians. Since then, it has provided education without interruption for half a century inside Pacheco Plant’ facilities.

The event took place in the school and was attended by authorities from the local regional Government (Tigre). Additionally, journalists and opinion leaders walked through the modern school facilities guided by students, who showed various projects in the areas of robotics, electrical engineering, engines mechanics and 3D printers design, among others.

Given the importance of the event, Bill Ford, sent a warm message in which he expressed the importance of education in Ford's vision: “When my great-grandfather, Henry Ford, founded Ford Motor Company, he did so with a vision: to improve people’s lives by making mobility accessible for everyone.  He also believed that education was the most powerful engine for achieving sustainable growth for society, empowering communities and improving their quality of life.”


Education as the Engine for Social Development
Enrique Alemany, president of Ford South Group expressed at the event: "In our 100 years of uninterrupted presence in Argentina, not only we have committed ourselves to offer excellent quality vehicles with the most innovative technologies; we have also been involved in the development of our society, creating jobs, investing in the country and focusing on education. The continuity of the HFTS over the last half century is an example of this unbreakable promise". In addition to this, Carlos Galmarini, Corporate Affairs and Communications Director of Ford Argentina, said "At Ford we believe that a truly successful and sustainable business is the one that contributes to the genuine development of society, the one that contributes to its communities to have a brighter future. And we believe education is the most powerful engine to achieve this".

The HFTS Today
Throughout the years, the school has incorporated modern technological equipment and improved its education proposal which includes professional practice at Pacheco Plant. HFTS education plan features professionalizing practices by which students participate in educational projects with different areas of the company to provide a first work experience. The relationship between the school and Pacheco Plant is one of its greatest assets, as it allows students to apply the knowledge learned in one of the most experienced industrial plants in the country.

Currently, the HFTS has 210 students and 1188 graduates, of which about 50 are now working at Ford. Students have a comprehensive education plan that combines study, work, research and production based on knowledge and skills, with the main objective of ensuring access to employment and to higher education. In a world where technology and industries progress and converge constantly, making technical education part of this process of transformation and innovation means not only to contribute in the development of society; it is also educating in the present with eyes on the future.