2019

Year: 2019

TechForce Foundation announces sponsorship of TMCFutureTech skills competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TechForce Foundation® announces sponsorship of TMCFutureTech
skills competition for 3rd straight year

Expands support of nationwide competition for students in diesel technician programs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., August 15, 2019 — TechForce Foundation®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians in the transportation industry has once again pledged their support of the TMCFutureTech national student technician competition as title sponsor. Hosted by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the competition is going strong in its 6th year, having begun in 2014. Approximately 60 students are expected to compete on September 16th in Raleigh, N.C. The format includes testing written knowledge as well as hands-on diagnostic skills. It is a competition that has proven to draw the best and brightest young students from around the country to compete. Many past participants have been immediately hired by some of the top employers in the trucking industry, and gone on to have rewarding careers.

According to Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, “The competition is a prime example of what can be accomplished when organizations from across an industry come together with a single-minded purpose. In this case, that purpose is a commitment to support skills development in the young men and women who will be our future technicians of tomorrow.” Many of the companies that assist in running the skills testing stations, donating their time and equipment are competitors in the marketplace every day. However, that is all put aside for the greater cause when it comes to working together in the competition.

TechForce has also doubled down on its involvement this year. In addition to the title sponsorship, it has set up a new online sponsorship process. This allows interested individuals or organizations from industry to easily sign up to sponsor one or more students in the competition. This is especially important, as all contestants must be sponsored to enter. Sponsors are able to pay online by credit card, and as TechForce is a 501(c)(3) foundation, receipts are provided to sponsors for tax donation purposes. Further information on sponsorships is available at techforce.org/TMC2019

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and is spearheading FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit techforce.org.

About TMC
TMC is America’s premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals. Comprised of a broad cross-section of experienced fleets, equipment suppliers and service providers, no other industry trade association can match the real-world experience and technical expertise of TMC’s membership. By providing leadership support and opportunities to collaborate, TMC helps members develop the industry’s best practices that address the critical truck technology and maintenance issues that have the greatest impact on truck fleets. For more than 60 years, TMC’s member-driven Recommended Maintenance and Engineering Practices have been setting the standards that help trucking companies specify and maintain their fleets more effectively. Find out more about TMC online at tmc.trucking.org.

Media Contacts
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354 or 602-363-8861

For TMC: Robert Braswell, rbraswel@trucking.org, 703-838-1776

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FedEx Freight and TechForce Announce New Sponsorship

                     Logo of FedEx Freight, TechForce Foundation's newest corporate sponsor. FedEx and TechForce have teamed up to close the skills gap, and inspire, support and connect technician students to careers.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FedEx® Freight Supports TechForce Foundation®’s FutureTech Success® Campaign

The company joins the growing industry-wide initiative to close the skills gap and fuel the next generation of technicians

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 23, 2019 — FedEx Freight is joining forces with TechForce Foundation and the FutureTech Success campaign to raise awareness of trade and technical careers and address the growing demand for technicians in the transportation industry.

 

As the result of decades of pushing the message to students that a 4-year degree is the only path to a desirable career, today’s workforce faces a serious problem. A staggering amount of college graduates leave school without serious job prospects for their degree. Meanwhile, jobs in the skilled trades remain unfilled because there are not enough qualified candidates.

 

By joining the FutureTech Success campaign FedEx® Freight has shown its commitment to re-positioning the perception of the technician profession from the outdated grease monkey stigma to a high-demand, high-growth STEM career. The campaign seeks to reach parents and influencers of today’s middle- and high-school students to highlight the rewarding, high-tech and in-demand career of transportation technicians.

 

“It is our privilege to support an organization that knows the value of investing in technical career education and opportunities for the future success of students and fleets,” said Michael Hoffman, Vice President of Facilities, Equipment & Maintenance for FedEx Freight.

 

“TechForce is proud to partner with FedEx® Freight, a company who understands the gravity of the automotive and diesel tech shortage in America and is willing to join efforts to keep America rolling,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO and Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “Their support will help us continue to close the skills gap and fuel future techs to reach their full potential in this career.”

 

About FedEx® Freight
Since 2001, connecting customers with opportunity has motivated the people of FedEx Freight, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and a leading provider of LTL freight services. We revolutionized the LTL industry with the priority and economy model, and we offer our customers both fast-transit delivery of time-sensitive freight (FedEx Freight Priority has the fastest published transit times of any nationwide LTL service) or cost-effective delivery when they can trade time for savings. Through more than 370 service centers and 25,000 motorized vehicles, FedEx Freight moves more than 115,000 LTL shipments each day throughout the U.S, Canada and Mexico. With a steadfast focus on Safety Above All, our 45,000 team members are driven to innovate for our customers and give back to the communities where we live and work. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

 

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.TechForce.org.

 

Media Contacts
For FedEx Freight: Miranda Harbor, Miranda.harbor@fedex.com, 901-434-39767
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354

 

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AMSOIL supports students through TechForce scholarships

Meet the Recipients of TechForce Foundation’s AMSOIL Scholarships

Thank you, AMSOIL, for your support for future technicians!

 

DRIVING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE OF TECHNICIANS

Madeline, recipient of an AMSOIL scholarship and recent marine technology graduate

Madeline says, “I love living on the Gulf, and I have always been passionate about working with my hands. In high school I went to a tech school and loved every minute of it. My dream job is to become a Marine Mechanic. After I finish the Marine Program at MMI, I plan to go on to get my Captains license and scuba license.”

Even though Madeline knew this was her passion, starting out at MMI was a challenge.  “I came into this program far behind others. While my classmates partied and visited their family and friends on the weekends, I spent countless hours at the Library on YouTube, self-learning in order to catch up. I broke down often and questioned my ability to succeed. With the encouragement of my family and friends, I chose not to quit no matter how discouraged I became.”   Madeline passes that supportive encouragement forward in service to others.  “I have over 100+ hours in Community Service at Heritage House Ministries. HH is a non-profit group home for at risk teens. I grew up in foster care at this very same home and enjoy giving back to the place that protected me as a young girl.”

Madeline’s job requires her to drive around and deliver notices which mean taking the bus is not an option. “I recently started having issues with my car, and was later told I needed a new transmission. I live about 15 miles from my school and my work, and have to leave my house as early as 5am. If I don’t fix my car, I wouldn’t be able to keep my job and stay in school. The cost of diagnosing and replacing my transmission is more than I can afford. My financial instability is not because I am living outside of my means or not working. I am looking for help to ensure I can continue to work and stay in school.”

Upon hearing she would receive assistance from the AMSOIL “Life Happens” Grant she felt like “huge weight has been lifted.”  Madeline says, “I am greatly looking forward to focusing on school and being able to breathe again! Thank you for being so kind and for helping me out!”

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HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECHNICIANS SUCCEED

 

Garnik’s dream career is to be an engineer.  “That’s my dream and I will, and I am, working to make my dream reality with my friends and with the good people who care about others.”

Garnik grew up in Armenia. When he was teenager, he started to be interested in cars. “I was around sixteen years old when I started to disassemble my first car’s engine. It was tough for me, but with my dad’s friend’s help I reassembled the engine and ran it.” He’s had some obstacles, but his biggest was dealing with a new environment. “For me it was really tough, when I came to the United States. It was almost three years ago. I came alone, just left my whole family and came from the other side of the world. Believe me; it’s very difficult to start life alone without knowing the language of the country where you live. I got into the automotive business but nobody wanted to work with me because it’s hard to work with beginners. I was [frequently] ignored and pushed away, and my questions were unanswered. [However, I eventually began to learn from] the technicians and master [techs] with whom I used to work. As time was passed my work was got their attention. Eventually they understood that I’m a guy who really loves working with engines and electric components, they started becoming friendlier and taught me more. I’m really proud of myself. Now I can socialize with people, I can write and read in English, I can do what I love and make some money [while doing it].”

Garnik left automotive to get into the Marine industry. “It seems more interesting to me, more fun and there are different things to learn.”  He left his job to concentrate on his Marine classes when he had a setback: “I need financial help for my car which has a coolant leak… I want to finish school, I [only] have 10 weeks left… [but I need] help to stop [my car’s] radiator leak… this is my last hope.” With the support of the AMSOIL “Life Happens” Grant, Garnik was able to overcome the obstacle, and successfully graduate from his program.

 

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Watch video thank-yous from additional scholarship recipients here:

 

 

Las Vegas Concours Names TechForce Foundation Charity Beneficiary of Opening Night Gala

The logo of TechForce Foundation    

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Las Vegas Concours names TechForce Foundation
its charity beneficiary of Opening Night Gala

 

LAS VEGAS, NV, July 16, 2019 – The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance has named TechForce Foundation as the charity beneficiary of its Opening Night Gala on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the Keep Memories Alive event venue in downtown Las Vegas. This extravaganza will welcome hundreds of car enthusiasts and those who value and support technical education. The Gala will be part of four days of events promising a one-of-kind blend of elegance featuring vehicles from the most significant collections in the world.

TechForce is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. “We have a significant shortage of tech trained workforce in the the automotive industry. Young adults have been encouraged for decades that the road to success is through a four-year college. Today more than ever opportunities for secure, well paying careers in the automotive industry come through tech training.,” shares Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “These are no longer blue-collar, but new-collar careers with a great paycheck. These jobs can’t be outsourced or shipped overseas, and are in high-demand. People talk about jobs, jobs, jobs: this is where good paying jobs are now and into the future.”

“Have you looked under a hood recently?” adds Stuart Sobek, founder and chairman of the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. “There are more than 70 computers and 100 million lines of code in these magic machines. Our economy, businesses, and personal lives depend on vehicles—and it’s time we show our respect for techs.” As a result, Sobek named TechForce the charity beneficiary, with the net proceeds raised through auctions, donations, Gala ticket sales, and raffles to benefit TechForce Foundation.

TechForce will use funds raised through the Las Vegas Concours d ‘Elegance to support:

  1. High School Auto Shop Makeovers, starting with the auto lab at Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA), Nevada’s oldest career and technical education (CTE) high school;
  2. Scholarships for students to pursue their post-secondary technical training; and
  3. FutureTech Success campaign to reframe the stigmas that plague the profession, champion the skilled trades, excite Millennials about the past, present and, future of automobiles, and promote that technical education is a solid, reliable option for students.

Long-time supporters of the TechForce mission, Shell, Pennzoil and Universal Technical Institute, are the Gala’s sponsors.

To learn more about the TechForce Foundation and how it works, log on to MOJ Show and check out this very informative podcast between Las Vegas’s own Monica O. Jackson and the CEO of TechForce, Jennifer Maher. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll ABSOLUTELY be well informed.

About Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance (LVCE)
In the inaugural year, the 2019 Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance brings the historic automobile show to the entertainment capital of the world. LVCE exhibits over 20 classes of rare and unique automobiles invited from around the world, most never before shown in Las Vegas. The four-day event will be hosted at some of Las Vegas’ most prestigious locations including, the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, DragonRidge Country Club at MacDonald Highlands and the iconic Las Vegas Blvd (The Las Vegas Strip). Proceeds from the celebrity golf tournament will benefit the LVCE/ArtCenter Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit LasVegasConcours.com or follow @LasVegasConcours on Facebook and Instagram.

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.TechForce.org.

About Shell and Pennzoil
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. The Shell downstream organization manages a portfolio of top-quality brands, including the No. 1 selling premium gasoline, Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline, No. 1 selling gasoline, Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, and Pennzoil®, the best-selling, most trusted and preferred motor oil brand in America.

Media Contacts
For Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance: Julian Lupo, julianl@quillinly.com, 702-818-1637
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354
For Monica Jackson: Delano Jackson, JD@7dayzllc.com, 702-528-0605

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TechForce to deliver keynotes at Women in Automotive conference

 

TechForce Foundation and its Partners to Deliver Two Keynote Presentations at Women in Automotive Conference

 

TechForce Foundation and its partners are scheduled to deliver back to back keynote presentations later this month on the main stage at the Women in Automotive national conference.

The June 25 keynote presentations include a 30 minute panel on “Changing the Culture of our Technician Trade in Automotive” from TechForce Foundation, and FutureTech Success campaign partners Great Dane and Ford Motor Company, as well as a 20 minute “If you can dream it, you can build it” presentation from TechForce Foundation board member Bogi Lateiner, master mechanic and owner of Bogi’s Garage.

For more details on the presentations, read the excerpts from the Women in Automotive conference’s official agenda below. For more information on the event, visit the conference website>>

 

Keynote Panel: “Changing the Culture of our Technician Trade in Automotive.”

June 25, 2019 1:10 PM

Discuss the technician shortage and the status of the industry and how we can help change the stigmas about the trade to attract more technicians in to the industry. Discuss what is working and TechForce Foundation involvement and what the audience can do to help. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the automotive service Technician industry will face a shortage of 45,000 Technicians per year now through 2026. To fill this gap for Ford dealers, Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) launched TechDrive in 2018. This program is led by 21 Regional Technical Talent Placement Specialists across the U.S., dedicated to building the relationships between our Ford dealers and their local High School Automotive Programs. This is a dealer centric, grass roots initiative which entails dealer attendance in school advisory boards, student job shadowing, career fairs, parent/student tours of our dealerships, etc. The TechDrive team aims to recruit over 2,000 incremental Ford Service Technicians by 2020.

 

Panelist: Tina Smith, Director of National Partnerships | TechForce Foundation

 

 

Panelist: Susan Dober, Director, Organizational Learning | Great Dane

 

 

Panelist: Antonietta Polsinelli, Technical Placement Manager | Ford Motor Company

 

 

Keynote: “If you can dream it, you can build it”

June 25, 2019 1:40 PM

When we allow ourselves to dream, and then find the courage to pursue those dreams no matter the risk, the results can often be far greater than we could have ever imagined not only for ourselves, but for the world around us. The Chevy Montage All Female Build was more than just a truck restoration build. It was an exercise in dreaming outrageously, creating a community, and challenging not only ourselves but the status quo. By sharing the inspiration behind the build, the lessons learned throughout the process, and the ripple effect that it continues to create – Bogi will motivate and inspire YOU to take action on your biggest dreams.

 

Speaker: Bogi Lateiner, Owner, Master Mechanic, Influencer | Bogi’s Garage

 

 

TechForce launches STEM Center series at Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction

This article orginally appeared on www.Barrett-Jackson.com June 10, 2019 here>>

 

Barrett-Jackson’s Connecticut event becomes even more family-friendly

Don’t leave the kids behind if you’re thinking of coming to the 4th Annual Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut!

This year’s event kicks off with Shell Family Day/Preview Day on Wednesday, June 26. There’s free admission for high school students (with proper ID), as well as children younger than high-school age, and there’s plenty for all ages to do and see.

TechForce Foundation’s STEM Center Presented by Shell Powered by Pennzoil will debut at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast Auction June 26-29, 2019.

While the auction arena won’t be open to guests on Preview Day, all the vehicles scheduled to cross the auction block will be available for up-close inspection in the outdoor and indoor display areas. The vast Sponsor and Exhibitor Hall will be filled to the brim, with displays showcasing the latest in automotive technology (many interactive) and a shopper’s paradise replete with unique items available for purchase (the younger set will enjoy trying out the ultimate in radio-controlled cars).

The Ford Hot Laps and Dodge Thrill Rides will be operating at full throttle on a 110,000-square-foot outdoor track, where those age 8 (or 48 inches) and above can take an exciting spin with a professional driver (included with admission).

An exciting new addition this year also kicks off on Shell Family Day and runs throughout the entire event (June 26-29): the TechForce STEM Center presented by Shell, powered by Pennzoil – featuring Flat 12 Gallery and the STEM education department from the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

This interactive exhibition features hands-on activities that enable students to experience automotive technology, understand the applicability of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the automotive world and explore industry career paths.

Visitors to the STEM Center can fidget with engines, pretend they’re doing a quick tire change in the NASCAR pits, discover how the laws of physics relate to the automobile, explore Ohm’s Law by working with circuit boards and other equipment, and use tablets and scan devices to examine the latest diagnostic tools. An important facet of the STEM Center will be the “Women Techs Rock” station (which will feature Bogi Lateiner of MotorTrend’s “All Girls Garage” on Friday and Saturday), an area that focuses on females in the industry and how more woman are needed in STEM careers, particularly as automotive technicians.

Flat 12 Gallery’s Jeff Allen and Meg Bailey (of “The Car Chasers” and “Skidmarks Show” fame) will also be on hand at the STEM Center with giveaways, signing autographs and showcasing an amazing 1963 Volvo build they did known as #V06 (shown at right), which will be sold at the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction with 100% of the hammer price going to assist students in the automotive field.

Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians, says, “Instead of just showing students automotive displays and saying ‘Stand back, don’t touch,’ we want them to get hands-on.” The new TechForce STEM Center at the 2019 Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction will allow students to do just that.

For tickets to TechForce Foundation’s STEM Center, click here>>

 

ABOUT TECHFORCE FOUNDATION:
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org.

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TechForce Foundation funds CREF scholarship winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Brandon Eckenrode, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development
(312) 231-0258
Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org

 

TECHFORCE FOUNDATION AND COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – May 28, 2019 – TechForce Foundation, in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), awarded three collision repair students with scholarships funded through a TechForce Foundation FutureTech Success Grant. Winners were selected from a pool of students who demonstrated a passion for learning and an affinity for the collision repair industry based on their participation in the scholarship’s selection process.

 

Each winner received $2,000 that can be used to continue their education in the collision repair industry.

 

This year’s scholarship winners include:

  • Hanife Manning of Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, N.C.
  • Dylan Miller of City College in Billings, Mont.
  • Larmar Tillery of Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C.

 

“The transportation industry needs on average more than 15,000 new collision repair technicians each year, but tech schools are only graduating one third of that number,” says Jennifer Maher, Executive Director, TechForce Foundation. “TechForce Foundation is proud to partner with organizations, including the Collision Repair Education Foundation, to solve this industry-wide challenge. By supporting collision repair students like Hanife, Dylan and Larmar, TechForce and CREF are working together to champion the next generation of transportation technicians and keep America rolling. Congratulations to the scholarship winners!”

 

Industry members interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s supporters, and assisting high school and post-secondary collision school programs and students should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

 

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ABOUT TECHFORCE FOUNDATION:
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org.

 

ABOUT THE COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION:
The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

 

 

Arkansas Trucking Association awards scholarships supported by TechForce Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 1, 2019

 

Arkansas Trucking Association announces technician scholarship recipients

 

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – The Arkansas Trucking Association is pleased to announce the 2019 recipients of the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund. High school seniors Ryan McKnight of West Fork High School and Clint VanPoucke of Elkins High School will both receive $7,500 to pursue training for a career in medium/heavy duty truck technology.

 

“Arkansas relies on the trucking industry as a major employer in the state. One in twelve working Arkansans have a career in our industry. It is vital to the state’s economy that we capture the right talent and make the highly skilled training accessible to trucking’s future technicians,” says Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. “This year’s scholarship recipients will someday be caring for the machines we share the road with every day, and we wish them well in their education and careers because their success is our safety.”

 

While at West Fork High School, Ryan McKnight has been a member of the Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America. He also played football and baseball and was a student officer for SkillsUSA, an organization that improves the quality of future skilled workforce through the development of framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. McKnight also won the 2019 Northwest Arkansas Regional Career and Technical Leadership Award. This fall he plans to attend Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, Ark.

 

Elkins High School senior Clint VanPoucke displayed his technical talents at the SkillsUSA competition for diesel technology at the national level. He also worked at Washington Regional Medical Center and plans to begin the medium/heavy duty truck technology program at the Northwest Technical Institute this fall.

 

“This year’s crop of applicants was outstanding. We had students from across the state with excellent credentials,” says Kenneth Calhoun, founding member of the scholarship committee. “Ultimately the committee had to take on the challenging task of selecting just two winners. Clint and Ryan rose to the top, and when the process was complete, the choice was clear. We are excited at the prospect of having these fine young men join our industry. It will be exciting to
track just how far they go.”

 

The Arkansas Trucking Association’s Maintenance & Technology Council established the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund to celebrate Carl Tapp, the council’s first chairman, and his career-long commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry. The Fund is intended to enable and encourage growth in the state’s diesel technician workforce and to help assure that the safest, most knowledgeable and skilled technicians are working on the trucks and trailers on our nation’s roads. Candidates were evaluated based upon their interest and performance in STEM courses, teacher and mentor recommendations and personal interviews with the scholarship committee of industry experts.

 

This scholarship has been made possible by the vision and investment in the future of trucking in Arkansas by the following companies and individuals: ArcBest Companies, Bruce Purkey, DAVCO Technology, Kenneth Calhoun, Maverick Transportation, McKee Foods Transportation, Pressure Systems International, Summit Truck Group, TechForce Foundation, The Tapp Family, Truck Centers of Arkansas, Truck-Lite Co., and Walt Luethy. Contact Sarah Sheets (sarahsheets@arkansastrucking.com) for more information about the Scholarship Fund.

 

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The Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is a statewide business league comprised of approximately 300 trucking companies and service companies to serve as the political and public relations arm of the trucking industry. The ATA has continuously served the Arkansas trucking industry in this capacity since its incorporation in 1932.

 

 

Techforce Foundation Announces 2019 FutureTechs Rock Awards Winners

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Techforce Foundation Announces 2019 FutureTechs Rock Awards Winners

Ten automotive, diesel, motorcycle and collision repair technician students recognized for
outstanding contributions as role models at school and in their communities.

 

April 17, 2019 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ — TechForce Foundation announces the 2019 FutureTechs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner is Jonathon Miranda, an automotive student attending Ohio Technical College, a post-secondary technical school in Cleveland, Ohio. To learn more about the 2019 FutureTechs Rock Awards, please visit: www.TechForceFoundation.org/FutureTechsRock. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Throughout his 18-month automotive program, Jonathon has maintained perfect attendance, achieved honor roll six times, and earned all A’s in his associate degree academic classes, which are separate from his technical coursework. Jonathon is a member of his school’s Student Leadership Council, where he serves as a role model and mentor, welcomes new students to campus, and volunteers for on-campus events. He also volunteers as a judge with Hot Rodders of Tomorrow, SEMA, and as lead judge for Piston Power Show’s high school engine building competition.

 

During the week of April 8 People’s Choice voting period, TechForce followers cast more than 25,000 votes among 10 national finalists who were selected among more than 160 nominees by a panel of judges to represent the different segments of the technician profession: automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, motorsports, and machining. Jonathon secured the largest number of votes and thus has been named the Grand Prize Winner, earning his choice of a $1,000 TechForce Foundation tuition scholarship to apply towards his post-secondary technician education or a sponsored Snap-on® tool voucher of equal value.

 

Upon learning he won the national award, Jonathon exclaimed, “This is awesome! Just being nominated means so much to me. Thank you to TechForce Foundation and everyone who voted. This experience encourages me to do my best. It’s a great feeling to know that other people recognize my hard work.”

 

The FutureTech Rock Awards recognize and celebrate students’ commitment to and passion for the technician profession and the transportation industry. With the U.S. only graduating approximately 57,000 technician students each year while the workforce need is 120,000 new entrant techs per year just to keep up with demand, the technician shortage is real and emphasizes how valuable each one of these students is to our country’s transportation industry.

 

Nominations were put forth by instructors, school personnel, fellow students to youth program directors, business and community leaders. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges including Julia Landauer, NASCAR driver; Tony Molla, ASA; Brandon Eckenrode, Collision Repair Education Foundation; Larry Cox, Sunstate Equipment; Ken Calhoun, Altec Service Group; and Frank Leutz, Desert Car Care of Chandler and Wrench Nation who then selected ten national finalists, each of whom receives a tool voucher sponsored by Snap-on®, a gift certificate to Cengage’s online educational library sponsored by Cengage Learning, and a Haynes Online Manual sponsored by Haynes North America.

 

2019 TechForce Foundation FutureTechs Rock Awards winners: Grand Prize/ People’s Choice Winner: Jonathon Miranda – Automotive Student, Ohio Technical College, Cleveland, Ohio

 

The nine finalists include two automotive high school students: Ryan Adkins, Collins Career Center in Chesapeake, Ohio and Angelle Vanderwarf, Kankakee Area Career Center in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and one post-secondary student, Antonio Yepez Cervantes, Ventura College in Ventura, California. Finalists representing diesel are Liam Thompson, Delgado Community College, New Orleans, Louisiana and high school student, Noah Salo, attending Joliet Public School in Joliet, Montana. Representing welding & machining, the finalist is Felyciti Alvarez, Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook, California, and Aaron Smith who attends Schuylkill Technology Center, Frackville, Pennsylvania won as the motorcycle technician finalist. Representing collision repair are two finalists: high school student Wyatt Mote, Wake Forest High School, Wake Forest, North Carolina and postsecondary student, Riley Prince, who attends Gateway Community College, Phoenix, Arizona. For more information and quotes directly from each finalist, visit, visit www.TechForceFoundation.org/FutureTechsRock.

 

The FutureTechs Rock Awards are part of TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech Success® initiative to help inspire and support tomorrow’s workforce of technicians. FutureTech Success is sponsored by industry partners, including Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Bridgestone, CarMax, FedEx Freight, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Interstate Batteries, Manheim, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan North America, Penske Truck Leasing, Shell Pennzoil, Snap-on, Universal Technical Institute, Valvoline and WD-40.

 

“Our country relies on the mobility technician students of today who will keep America rolling tomorrow. By engaging in a challenging STEM curriculum, these students are preparing themselves for an in-demand, high-tech and rewarding career. FutureTechs Rock Awards nominees are role models for their fellow students and an inspiration to us all,” shares Jennifer Maher, Executive Director, TechForce Foundation.

 

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the
vehicle technician profession. For more information,
visit www.techforce.org.

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Haynes North America Joins Futuretech Success® Campaign

 

The logo of TechForce Foundation

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HAYNES NORTH AMERICA JOINS FUTURETECH SUCCESS® CAMPAIGN

Worldwide Leader in Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Manuals Announces Support for

Industry-Wide Effort to Fuel the Next Generation of Mobility Technicians

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — April 10, 2019 — Haynes North America, Inc. has committed $50,000 in in-kind support of TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech Success campaign. With this commitment, Haynes has reaffirmed its support for the transportation technicians who keep America rolling, and hope to continue growing the technician career pipeline to meet the nation’s ever-increasing need for professional technicians.

 

Developed by leading educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) TechForce Foundation, the FutureTech Success campaign is an industry-wide initiative driving tomorrow’s workforce of technicians by inspiring, supporting and connecting middle and high-school students and their influencers with the resources necessary to support their technical education and career development.

 

“We are very excited to partner with TechForce on this important initiative. With our print and online manuals, as well as our new professional offering AllAccess, we hope to empower and motivate students to jump into an automotive career and continue to work with their hands,” said Reed Trueblood, Director of Marketing at Haynes North America, Inc. “Every manual is written from hands-on experience gained from a complete teardown and rebuild, which is the step-by-step procedure of dismantling and rebuilding a vehicle part-by-part. We hope to use these manuals to educate and spark the interest of future technicians.”

 

This partnership will help expand the FutureTech Success campaign’s efforts to provide resources and educational materials for aspiring technicians, their parents and educators alike. As the leader in automotive equipment repair, maintenance, and customization manuals, Haynes’s support for the campaign will be a catalyst for TechForce Foundation’s efforts to grow the industry’s talent pipeline by appealing to and reaching future technicians.

 

“Partnering with a company like Haynes gives students a unique perspective that narrows the focus on the hands-on aspect of the automotive trade,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO and Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “We are excited to collaborate with Haynes to reframe the stigmas and motivate students to take their tinkering a little further into a career in the transportation industry.”

 

About Haynes North America, Inc.
Haynes, the world-leading publisher of automotive, motorcycle, marine and tractor repair content, is renowned for teaching millions of owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. For almost 60 years, Haynes has been dismantling vehicles–and putting them back together again. Only in this unique ‘hands on’ way can Haynes provide authoritative and step-by-step information on both basic and complex tasks through print and online products.www.haynes.com.

 

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and is spearheading FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org.

 

CarMax Contact:
Reed Trueblood, click to email, 805-262-3354 or 805-794-4776

TechForce Foundation Contact:
Jennifer Maher, click to email, 623-445-0933 or 602-550-0371

 

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"By connecting students, instructors, industry pros and working techs, the TechForce Foundation provides unilateral support to the transportation industry’s technician recruiting needs… The administration of our Scholarships by the TechForce team has been instrumental in delivering us with a successful method to gain interest from qualified candidates as well as provide our students with additional assistance to complete their education."
Tony Farr
Ford Technical Programs Manager