TechForce Partners with WD-40 Brand and Advance Auto Parts On Scholarship Program


TechForce Partners with WD-40 Brand and
Advance Auto Parts On Scholarship Program

December 28, 2021 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ — WD-40® Brand is partnering with TechForce and Advance Auto Parts on a scholarship program to support a new generation of trade professionals.

WD-40 Brand will donate $25,000 to the TechForce Foundation, helping to fund 40 scholarships for those pursuing a career in skilled trades and in need of financial support. Scholarship recipients will also receive additional resources and career development opportunities.

“WD-40 Brand has a long history of championing skilled trades and new generations of trade professionals through products, education, scholarships and other resources,” said Erin Bala, senior director of brand experience, engagement & innovation at WD-40 Company. “Now, more than ever, America needs young people to enter the skilled trades and we are honored to support TechForce and Advance in their mission to support students in their education and careers as professional technicians.”

TechForce harnesses the collective resources of the transportation industry to develop tomorrow’s diverse workforce of qualified technicians by increasing awareness and enthusiasm for the skilled trades, providing resources to help access quality education for those with financial need, and connecting future techs and industry members through mentorship and career development opportunities.

“We’re currently facing a shocking labor shortage in the skilled trades, with nearly five jobs for every new tech school graduate, making it critical to help aspiring trade professionals overcome financial barriers,” said Jennifer Maher, TechForce, CEO. “The scholarship program creates a powerful opportunity to allow men and women to pursue a stable and rewarding career in the trades that have built our communities for centuries, while reducing the financial burden.”

Learn more at techforce.org/revup.

“Advance is proud to partner with WD-40 Brand and TechForce on this valuable scholarship opportunity,” said Chris Blanchette, Advance’s vice president, strategic store operations and chairman of TechForce’s board of directors. “I started my professional career as an automotive technician, and am incredibly thankful that TechForce, Advance and great partners like WD-40 Brand share a passion for attracting, educating and retaining men and women in the rewarding careers available in the automotive industry. Together, we look forward to solving for a critical need while launching the careers of aspiring technicians across the U.S.”

As part of this partnership, from Dec 30. 2021 through Feb. 16, 2022, Advance will be offering WD-40® Multi-Use Product at a discounted price.

About WD-40 Company

WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company markets a wide range of maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and Solvol®.

About Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of October 9, 2021, Advance operated 4,727 stores and 234 Worldpac branches in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also serves 1,325 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $1.2 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads an industry-wide workforce development initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

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Under The Hood | December 2021

TOPICS IN UNDER THE HOOD FOR DECEMBER 2021:

Techs Rock Awards 2021 Grand Prize Winner | Bogi Women Shifting Gears by Hemmings | Women Techs Rock | Donate Your Car | Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship | Throdle Partners With TechForce | Chasing Classic Cars’ Wayne Carini

 

TRA 2021_Grand Prize Winner_Donald Ranquist@3x-1

Announcing the Grand Prize Winner of TechForce’s 2021 Techs Rock Awards

The 2021 Techs Rock Grand Prize Winner is Donald Ranquist of South Jordan, UT! Donald is an automotive technician with CarMax, and was also named as the Awards’ 2021 Pay it Forward Category Winner. Donald will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to STX 2022 in Orlando, FL, as well as prizes valued at over $6,500 from TechForce partners. Learn about the 2021 Techs Rock Award winners here>>

 

 

 

 

 

TODAY – Live online interview with Bogi

shifting_gears_virtual_lap12_lateiner_1600x900Join TechForce celebrity ambassador Bogi today, Dec 7th at 7 PM ET/ 4 PM PT for an exclusive live online interview on the Women Shifting Gears podcast, Driven by Hemmings. Reserve your spot now>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about women techs you know who rock

TF_WOMEN TECHS ROCK Badge_Icons_210422

TechForce is seeking women technicians to highlight in our #WomenTechsRock interview series (check it out here) and we need your help. If you know a woman who’s story should be shared, let us know. You might even see their interview in our next newsletter! Refer a woman tech who rocks>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donate your vehicle to support students – it’s tax-deductible!

Five Fixers Technicians-155Make a year-end donation by gifting your car, RV or boat to TechForce Foundation. Support students in their education and careers as professional transportation techs. Your tax-deductible donation will fund our work to inspire, connect and support the next generation of techs. Learn more and donate your vehicle today>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall 2021 Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship Awardee

Nushrat Ahmed_1127029 (2)Congratulations to NASCAR Technical Institute student Nushrat Ahmed on receiving the Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship! The Award will help Nushrat cover the cost of her technician training and jump-start her career. Join the first social network built for current and future technicians to learn more about TechForce Foundation scholarships>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throdle donates $100,000 in support of TechForce’s mission

throdle logoTechForce is excited to announce that Throdle has joined our industry-wide campaign to build the next generation of transportation technicians, with a $100,000 donation to support TechForce’s mission. Throdle is an app for car lovers to share their passion, discover cars, connect and drive their automotive experience further. View TechForce’s full list of supporters here>>

 

 

 

 

Something fun – Questions for Chasing Classic Cars’ Wayne Carini

Wayne Carini event poster_220106-1Enter a question for Chasing Classic Cars host Wayne Carini, and it might be asked on our Jan. 6th live stream with Wayne and Mecum Auctions! All questions should be about tech careers or Wayne’s 1951 Hirohata Mercury Custom Build. Submit your questions through “Contests” in TechForce’s social network>>

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays from the TechForce Foundation team

2020-12_Happy Holidays_Happy Holidays graphic

Thank you for your support and engagement throughout this past year. TechForce Foundation wishes you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. We can’t wait to see you in 2022!

 

 

 


Thank you to all TechForce Foundation partners!

TFF-ALL-Partners-Logo-Lockup-211123Associations: Automotive Communications Council, Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA), American Rental Association (ARA), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), ASE Education Foundation, ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), Auto Care Association/Women in Auto Care, Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR), Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT), SkillsUSA, STEAM Sports Foundation and American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)

Celebrities: Charles Sanville (The Humble Mechanic), Lyn St. James (IndyCar), Bogi Lateiner (Girl Gang Garage), Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing – NHRA) and Julia Landauer (Julia Landauer Racing – NASCAR)

For more news on TechForce Foundation, follow us on social media at the links below!

 

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RELEASE: Grand Prize Winner named in 2021 Techs Rock Awards

TechForce Foundation® Announces
2021 Techs Rock Awards
TM Grand Prize Winner

 

Donald Ranquist of CarMax selected for top honors
in 3
rd annual Awards honoring technicians

December 7, 2021 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ — TechForce Foundation® announces Donald Ranquist, an automotive technician at CarMax in South Jordan, Utah, as the 2021 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner. TechForce created this prestigious award to honor professional technicians who mentor and inspire the next generation of techs, bring excellence to their workplaces and communities, and demonstrate passion and commitment to the profession. Meet the Grand Prize and Category Winners at TechForce.org/Winners.

Ranquist was selected amongst the Awards’ five Category Winners, through an online people’s choice vote held November 29 – December 3, 2021. Over 5,500 ballots were cast in the vote. Ranquist was previously named as the Pay it Forward Category Winner, as selected by TechForce’s panel of industry judges including Bogi Lateiner, Bogi’s Garage; Charles Sanville, The Humble Mechanic; Emily Reeves, Flying Sparks Garage; Steve Ford, The Car Guy; and Julia Landauer, NASCAR Driver.

In addition to the more than $1,800 in prizes awarded to each Category Winner, Ranquist will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to STX 2022 in Orlando, FL valued at $3,000, courtesy of Advance Auto Parts, and a Grand Prize package valued at over $5,000 from TechForce partners CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Snap-on Tools, Advance Auto Parts, Shell, WD-40 Company, and AutoZone.

When Donald Ranquist learned he was the 2021 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner he exclaimed, “I won?! That’s awesome! …I don’t usually brag about myself… This is really exciting. Thank you!”

Ranquist acknowledged his stiff competition in the vote, and went on to praise his fellow Category Winners, “I read through [their profiles] and they’re all amazing technicians and people. I was impressed by what they have overcome… If I could say anything to the other [Winners] it would be ‘heck of a job… you’re amazing.”

“TechForce Foundation is proud to recognize Donald Ranquist and CarMax with this Award,” says TechForce Foundation Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer Mike Pressendo. “The Techs Rock Awards were established to recognize the often overlooked yet outstanding contributions transportation technicians make in their communities day in and day out. Donald illustrates the positive impacts techs make. He sets a great example for others to follow.”

About Donald from his nomination: “Donald Ranquist makes it a priority to find ways he can positively impact those around him. From serving on the CarMax Cares committee to establishing his own non-profit to heal victims of bullying through Motorsports, Donald shows those new to the industry what can be achieved as a technician. In his own words, ‘As an automotive technician I’ve developed skills that can help many people… I try and offer assistance in any way I can.’”

The 2021 Category Winners each represent a distinct category. Awardees include:

  • Outstanding Mentor – David May, Karl Tyler Chevrolet in Missoula, MT
  • Rookie of the Year – Drew Harless, Berglund Ford in Salem, VA
  • Die Hard – Jess Anderson, Kolar Chevrolet in Hermantown, MN
  • Barrier Buster – Gabriel Gaumer, MHC Kenworth in Topeka, KS
  • Pay it Forward – (Grand Prize Winner) Donald Ranquist, CarMax in South Jordan, UT

The Techs Rock Awards are part of TechForce Foundation’s workforce development initiative to help inspire and support tomorrow’s workforce of technicians. TechForce has also created the first and only social network designed and gamified for professional technicians and tech students to connect with each other, employers and schools (JoinTechForce.org). The transportation community is supporting it with content and using it to learn, connect, find events, and explore job opportunities while competing for prizes and leaderboard status.

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads an industry-wide workforce development initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

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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