Under The Hood Newsletter | November 2022
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As a friend of TechForce, we rely on you to help make our efforts a success. Here are some easy ways you can help:
2022 Techs Rock Awards: Category Winners Announced & Grand Prize Vote NOW OPEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TechForce Foundation® Opens Grand Prize Vote & Announces Category Winners in 4th Annual Techs Rock Awards
Five technicians recognized for outstanding contributions as role models in their shops & communities, one to be selected by the public for Grand Prize
November 28, 2022 — PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation® announces the Category Winners in the 2022 Techs Rock Awards and opens the Grand Prize Public Vote. TechForce created this prestigious award in 2018 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 Category Winners and vote for the Grand Prize Winner at TechForce.org/Vote. Voting is open through 11:59 PM PT on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
The five Category Winners represent less than one percent of the nearly 700 technicians nominated. Winners were selected by a panel of expert celebrity judges including Emily Reeves, Flying Sparks Garage; Charles Sanville, The Humble Mechanic; Bogi Lateiner, Bogi’s Garage; Pete Meier, Motor Age Magazine; and Julia Landauer, Julia Landauer Racing.
Since 2018 technicians have received more than $27,000 in prizes. Over $17,500 in prizes are being awarded in the 2022 Techs Rock Awards:
- Each Category Winner receives prizes valued over $1,700 from TechForce partners including Ford Motor Company, AutoZone, CRC Industries, Snap-on Industrial, Advance Auto Parts, WD-40 Company and Cengage.
- The Grand Prize Winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to STX 2024 in Orlando, FL valued at $3,000 courtesy of Advance Auto Parts, along with an additional prize package valued at over $5,500 from TechForce partners CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Snap-on Industrial, Advance Auto Parts, WD-40 Company and AutoZone.
Each Category Winner represents a distinct category. Awardees include:
- Barrier Buster – Daniel McCrum, CarMax. The Barrier Buster category recognizes technicians for showing heart and passion in overcoming obstacles to succeed.
- Die Hard – Joshua Ferrantino, Rodman Ford. The Die Hard category recognizes industry superfans who live, breathe, sleep, and thrive in their career.
- Outstanding Mentor – Frank Mendoza, Flow Nissan & NASCAR Technical Institute. The Outstanding Mentor category recognizes techs for providing support and guidance to the industry’s future technicians.
- Pay it Forward – Zachary Carlsen, Northern Auto Repair. The Pay it Forward category recognizes technicians for being a community advocate and inspiring the next generation of techs.
- Rookie of the Year – Kael Gortat, CarMax. The Rookie of the Year category recognizes up-and-coming tech professionals with under two years’ professional experience.
The Grand Prize will be awarded to one Category Winner, as selected by the ongoing Grand Prize Public Vote. Voting ends Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM PT. Read the Category Winners’ bios and vote for the 2022 Grand Prize Winner at TechForce.org/Vote
The Techs Rock Awards are part of TechForce’s workforce development campaign to inspire and support tomorrow’s workforce of technicians. TechForce 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 (TechForce.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 education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially-disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online, social network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit TechForce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.
Links
- Category Winner photos: https://adobe.ly/3i9pVqI
- 2022 Techs Rock Awards voting website: TechForce.org/Vote
- 2022 Techs Rock Awards logo: https://adobe.ly/3gmW2SO
- Vote Announcement, featuring The Humble Mechanic – YouTube: https://youtu.be/k6FraOmiqE8
###
Meet Brennen: Army Veteran and TechForce Scholarship Recipient
Meet Brennen, Beneficiary of The John & Bernadette Heenan Veterans at Work Fund
Brennen is an Army veteran who knows how to overcome obstacles while giving back
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always really enjoyed working with my hands and I knew I wanted to be a technician. I look forward to learning everything I can and being able to move up the ranks of master technician. My ultimate goal is to one day own my own shop and getting certified is going to help tremendously with those plans.”
Overcoming challenges and inspiring others to do the same
Balancing being a single mother, working and going to school can prove to be very challenging. Brennen says, “I’m always feeling like I have to prove and push myself further than everyone else because I am a female in a male dominated industry.”
“I’d like to change the way women feel about having a career in the industry and make it easier for them to pursue their dreams. I am dedicated to reaching my goals. I keep my head up, practice, study and take any experience I can to perfect my craft. Being in school for something I am passionate about has made me more confident and not afraid to work in the industry. I want my daughter to know that she can be anything she wants to be without any fears.”
Finding ways to give back
Brennen understands how important it is to be involved and give back to her community. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season she makes sure to volunteer at a local homeless shelter.
Being a single mom, Brennen cannot live on campus. Paying for rent and school expenses makes it difficult for Brennen to make ends meet.
About the scholarship
The John & Bernadette Heenan Veterans at Work Fund helps make it possible for Brennen to pay for her technical education and living expenses.
For more on how TechForce scholarships and grants support students through their technical education, visit Techforce.org/Scholarships
###
Caliber Partners with TechForce and Learning Undefeated to Reach Students
Caliber Influences Future Collision Repair Technician Leaders, Partners With TechForce Foundation and Learning Undefeated to Reach Students
Experiential events highlight exciting auto body repair career opportunities and Caliber Technician Apprentice Program for high school students
November 14, 2022 – LEWISVILLE, TEXAS – The Caliber family of brands, including Caliber Collision, alongside Caliber Auto Care and Caliber Auto Glass, is highlighting its Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) and partnering with two national nonprofits, TechForce Foundation® and Learning Undefeated, both of which are dedicated to workforce development in the technician field and creation of unique STEM experiences for students from under-resourced communities. STEM Education is an educational approach which focuses on one or more of the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math. This collaboration features a pilot program that provides hands-on experiences, introducing high school students in Maryland and Texas to Caliber, TAP, and career possibilities where students can use the latest technology in the collision repair industry.
The pilot program runs from October through December and features both after-school and weekend events. Combining the resources of Caliber Collision centers and Learning Undefeated’s Mobile eXploration Lab (MXLab), students will receive tours, one-on-one demos and interact with experienced Caliber auto body technicians in a live shop environment. Additionally, students will learn about Caliber’s Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) and participate in fun car-related activities such as timed assembly challenges, remote control car racing and more.
“At Caliber, we are committed to inspiring all teammates to reach their full potential. Through our Technician Apprentice Program, we are influencing the next generation of auto body techs and helping students achieve their goals, as well uncover career opportunities, which they may not have previously considered, within Caliber’s supportive culture,” said Caliber President and CEO Mark Sanders. “We are excited to leverage this partnership to expose even more students, teachers and parents to Caliber and TAP.”
“This partnership is a great way to leverage the expertise of our complementary nonprofits combined with Caliber’s commitment to workforce development,” said TechForce CEO Jennifer Maher. “Using our techforce.org platform to promote and engage students, together, we’re introducing them to rewarding careers in collision repair, while leaving a lasting imprint on our communities.”
“There’s power in numbers, and this partnership will benefit thousands of students,” said Learning Undefeated CEO Brian Gaines. “Hands-on learning experiences help open students’ eyes to career possibilities and build excitement about the high-demand field of collision repair.”
About Caliber
Founded in 1997, the Caliber portfolio of brands has grown to more than 1,500 centers nationwide and features a full range of complementary automotive services, including Caliber Collision, the nation’s largest auto collision repair provider across 40 states, Caliber Auto Care for mechanical repair and quick oil change services and Caliber Auto Glass for glass repair and replacement.
Caliber was recognized as the only company of its kind to make the Forbes 2021 list of “America’s Best Large Employers,” an honor awarded to companies with high employee satisfaction. Caliber was also the only auto service provider to receive an Inc. 2021 Best in Business gold medal in the Extra Large Company (500+ employees) category, recognizing Caliber for going above and beyond to make a positive impact.
With the purpose of Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life®, Caliber’s more than 25,000 teammates are committed to getting customers back on the road safely—and back to the rhythm of their lives. Dedicated to providing an outstanding customer experience, Caliber continues to rank among the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry. Learn more about Caliber at Caliber.com.
About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, “new collar” STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online, social network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube.
About Learning Undefeated
Learning Undefeated is driving race and gender equity in STEM through experiential and deep-impact learning experiences for students from under resourced communities. Best known for its fleet of traveling STEM laboratories, Learning Undefeated’s flagship STEM education program has prepared more than 1.3 million K-12 students for STEM careers since 2003, through hands-on content exploration, game-based learning, summer camps, and talent development programs. In 2022, Learning Undefeated’s shipping container based Drop Anywhere Lab won the Best of STEM Awards in the Social Impact: Promoting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category. Learning Undefeated also operates several other celebrated STEM education programs including custom curriculum development and STEM disaster recovery education. Visit learningundefeated.org or follow us on social media @LearningUNDFTD.
###
TechForce Releases 2022 Technician Supply & Demand Report
TechForce Report Highlights Extended Decline In Supply of New Technicians
Supply of incoming automotive techs from post-secondary programs dropped 11.8% last year, according to 2022 Transportation Technician Supply & Demand Report
November 1, 2022 – LAS VEGAS – The supply of new entrant technicians from automotive post-secondary education programs in the U.S. dropped 11.8%, to 28,866, in 2021, widening current and projected shortfalls of professionals needed to service the nation’s automotive fleet, according to TechForce Foundation’s 2022 Transportation Technician Supply & Demand Report. The supply of program graduates (completions) slipped 2.6% and 0.4%, respectively, in the diesel and collision repair segments but has fallen by a combined 17% over the past five years.
The worsening technician supply picture – with combined completions dropping from 48,208 in 2020 to 44,052 in 2021, overshadows a strong year-over-year rebound in technician employment in the automotive (+4.2%) and diesel (+6.5%) repair segments. Total employment of collision repair technicians dropped 0.7% percent, however, continuing a six-year decline.
TechForce estimates demand for new entrant automotive/diesel/collision repair technicians – for new positions, replacements for occupational separations and unfilled positions from prior years – will reach 232,000 in 2022 and total well over 900,000 through 2026.
For the first time, the annual report also includes labor data for the U.S. aviation industry, which currently employs more than 150,000 technicians who maintain and repair aviation and avionics equipment and systems. TechForce projects nearly 78,000 new entrant technicians will be needed to fill these roles between 2022 and 2026.
“This year’s report underscores not only the challenges we face in attracting, training and retaining technicians but also the boundless opportunities for talented young people to build successful, rewarding careers in one of the world’s most dynamic and technology-intensive industries,” said TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher. “The solution to this crisis lies in industry, nonprofit, education and government partners working together to build awareness, curiosity and interest in these careers among our youth.”
TechForce helps lead this industry-wide effort by inspiring people to explore the technician profession; supporting students in obtaining the technical education needed to be workforce-ready; and connecting techs to resources, mentors and employers to thrive in their careers. The Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in scholarships and grants and engaged and impacted more than 40,000 students.
Click here to download the 2022 Technician Supply & Demand Report, and click here to download related artwork.
About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, “new collar” STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online, social network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube.
###