Fueling the Future: MTM’s Commitment to Student Outreach

At Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), we believe it’s never too early to inspire the next generation.

That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive education outreach program designed to spark curiosity and highlight career pathways in manufacturing.

“It’s a holistic approach,” offered Rylee A., Education and Community Partnerships Specialist.

“We engage with local teachers, career coaches, students, and parents to share our story and show that real, rewarding careers exist in the automotive industry. Whether its production, skilled trades, engineering, or administrative roles, we want students to know that their interests could lead to a successful career at MTM.”

Early Exposure Through Hands-On Learning

MTM’s hands-on approach to student engagement starts as early as elementary school, where we support STEM education through fun, hands-on learning. For example, MTM recently supported Horizon Elementary School’s STEM class, as students were tasked with creating an attachment for their robot vehicle to protect a fragile “passenger”—an egg. Activities like this allow students to connect classroom learning with real-world problem-solving.

From the Classroom to the Shop Floor

As students grow, so do the opportunities to connect with our team. MTM regularly:

Provides engaging classroom presentations
Attends career fairs and career exploration days
Participates in mock interviews and panel discussions

Every quarter, we also host small groups of high school career tech students for guided tours of our Assembly and Quality shops. This gives students a firsthand look at manufacturing in action and helps them try to envision themselves in these roles.

Helping Students See What’s Possible

One of our most impactful initiatives is our Annual High School Senior Day of Work. This is an opportunity for graduating seniors to participate in the application process for a production team member position. As a one-day field trip, students work in the vehicle cabs, take an online test, complete job-placement optimization, and participate in an interview. Those who pass are able to walk across the stage at graduation with a contingent job offer in hand.

Bridging Education & Industry

Our commitment to engagement doesn’t stop once a student graduates from high school. MTM continues its education partnerships at the post-secondary and collegiate levels. MTM partners with local community colleges, such as Calhoun, Drake State, and Wallace State, through the FAME apprenticeship program, which blends classroom instruction with paid, hands-on work experience.

MTM also has a college internship program, in partnership with the Alabama Productivity Center, for juniors and seniors pursuing degree programs such as engineering, business, supply chain & logistics, human resources, and related fields. This is an opportunity for students to gain exposure to the dynamic work environment and support a process improvement through a tangible project.

MTM is also proud to partner with KTECH, a workforce development program that provides students with 16 certifications in 16 weeks.

A Local Company with a Big Impact on Helping Students Drive Their Dreams

MTM prides itself on its commitment to students and building a workforce pipeline. Since 2023, we have reached nearly 25,000 students through our education outreach efforts.

And the message is clear—students don’t have to look far to find a career that’s challenging, rewarding, and full of opportunity—it’s waiting for them at MTM.