Under The Hood Newsletter | December 2022
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Happy Holidays from TechForce Foundation!
Something Just for Instructors: Win $2,000 in GEARWRENCH Tools
Aviation student earns TechForce scholarship
Meet 2022 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize
Students Get Hands-On at X-STEM Phoenix
Donate to TechForce and Help a Young Person Find the Right Career Fit
2023 FutureTechs Rock Nominations Open
Jan. 7: VIP Student Experience @ Mecum
Jan. 28: TechForce STEM Career Center @ EVIT Expo
TechForce & Caliber Collision Video Showcases Demand for Tech Careers
Have an Unused Vehicle? Donate it to Support Future Mobility Technicians
TechForce Leaderboard Challenge
Meet Luke, TechForce scholarship recipient & future Aviation maintenance technician
Meet Luke, TechForce scholarship recipient & future Aviation maintenance technician
Luke was initially exposed to the possibility of a career in aviation via a field trip with his school. He says, “We took a field trip to a small local airport to find out more about its operations and possible vocational opportunities that lie within that type of business. I once again found myself interested in aircraft and how they are maintained and operated. It all seemed very exciting!”
He is very excited about his aviation maintenance program, and is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity he will have to work on aircraft at the National Aviation Academy aircraft hangar.
Regarding his ultimate career goals, Luke says, “I would like to travel around the world and work on aircraft for an aviation company.”
From the Gridiron to the Hanger
Luke says that being a high school football captain helped him learn to be a leader. He was a co-captain on his freshman team, and there was significant conflict among the players.
“To say I had my work cut out for me was an understatement. Before we even had our first game there were constant arguments and disagreements. The coaches spoke to the co-captains and said you must lead by example.”
Luke was able to implement this suggestion, “I remembered what the coaches had told me about leading by example and I began working hard along with the other players and we came together as a team. We were the first freshman team in many years that had an undefeated season!”
Luke’s Scholarship
Luke’s education has been financially stressful on his family, because he has 3 siblings, all of whom are also in college right now. Additionally, his family experienced periods of decreased income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luke is incredibly grateful for the tuition support provided by the Accelerate Tuition Scholarship Award, which will help him cover the cost of school and start his career on solid footing.
About TechForce Scholarships
TechForce Foundation is a national 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, with more than 40,000 students supported since 2007.
Learn more and apply for TechForce scholarships and grants at TechForce.org/Scholarships
Happy Holidays from the TechForce team!
Happy Holidays from TechForce Foundation!
Thank you for your support this past year! We could not have achieved all we did for technicians and technician students without you, and we achieved quite a bit.
2022 saw the launch of the TechForce App, making it even easier to join the only career platform dedicated to the technician workforce. We also continued TechForce’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts, including our weekly Women Techs Rock interview series.
TechForce also celebrated the 4th annual FutureTechs Rock and Techs Rock Awards, launched our Mobile STEM Career Center, welcomed exciting new partners in our workforce development campaign, and continued to award over $1.5 million in scholarships and grants to students with financial need. TechForce has now helped over 40,000 future technicians pay for their technical education since our founding!
>We’re also getting closer to our goal of raising $750,000 to promote the skilled trades and even more scholarships, take students to premier industry events and support our community of students, techs and instructors. Donate today and help make this happen.
TechForce Foundation wishes you and your family a happy & healthy holiday season and a wonderful New Year. We can’t wait to see you virtually in TechForce and live at our STEM Career Center in 2023!
Happy Holidays,
The TechForce Foundation TeamDriving Tomorrow’s Workforce of Technicians™
TechForce Partnership with Caliber Collision Helps Young People Explore Technical Education and Careers in Collision Repair
New video conveys being a collision tech is an art that’s in high demand
December 8, 2022 — PHOENIX — Not every student needs to attend a 4-year university. For many, a technical education and career is a viable road to success. TechForce Foundation recently launched a new video in partnership with Caliber Collision, #BeaCollisionTech, designed to educate young people about the opportunities and benefits that a career in collision repair offers. TechForce’s annual Supply and Demand Report revealed that among the transportation sectors, collision is suffering the most from the tech shortage. The ratio of demand to supply with collision technicians is 7.9 to 1. That is nearly 8 job opportunities for every one collision tech graduate.
As a leader in the collision industry, Caliber is at the forefront of addressing collision technician shortages with its proprietary Technician Apprentice Program (TAP). Through TAP, and with strategic partners like TechForce, Caliber is attracting, training, and employing the next generation of auto body technicians.
To craft a compelling message and video, TechForce went to the source and interviewed dozens of students currently enrolled in collision engineering programs and apprenticeships. These interviews uncovered precisely what attracted students to a collision repair career path, and TechForce was able to incorporate their exact sentiments in the video. Students shared that it’s an art that’s in demand; the high-tech, emerging technologies ensure they’re never bored; they enjoy mastering not just the mechanics, but the computers, calibration services and artistic side of paint and body work; and that this hands-on, problem-solving profession is a better fit for them than a traditional college pathway.
“As a national nonprofit, TechForce is committed to helping people discover an education and career that fits,” shares Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “Most young people aren’t even aware the collision tech option exists or they think it’s just replacing bumpers and paint. But with advancing technologies, it’s much more of a ‘new collar’, technology-centric profession today,” says Maher.
To reach high schoolers, TechForce delivers its messaging via video, over an array of social channels from YouTube to TikTok and Instagram — all in the voice of GenZ. “Rather than seasoned adults telling young people about their options, we engage with GenZ to share their own words and journey with their peers,” says Angie Babin, president of TechForce’s board of directors and vice president of supply chain for Caliber Collision. “This is also why TechForce has invested in the TechForce Network,” a gamified, online career hub and app (Apple & Android) where students can find all the resources needed to explore and pursue technical education and careers. “You have to meet students where they are,” adds Babin. Each year, TechForce awards nearly $1.5 million in scholarships and grants to students pursuing their technical education through the TechForce Network.
TechForce’s Be a Collision Tech video has already enjoyed more than 85 thousand views on YouTube, demonstrating interest among young people for a broader variety of education and career options. The project was graciously underwritten by Caliber, one of TechForce’s corporate donors in the collision sector. Caliber, in turn, will leverage the video to create awareness of TAP among potential apprentice and mentor candidates.
TechForce plans to continue delivering its educational video series across other technician sectors, ranging from collision and automotive to diesel, motorsports, heavy equipment/machinery and emerging technologies, including electric and autonomous vehicles.
“Students need choices for their futures, and the skilled trades are viable, well-paying, sustainable careers that shouldn’t be overlooked,” says Maher. “TechForce and its donors are committed to giving students options.”
About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a national 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 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, one of the nation’s largest auto collision repair providers 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 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—every day. 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.
Links
- Be a Collision Tech video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij3irBwK7Uo
- TechForce Supply & Demand Report: https://techforce.org/supply-demand-report/
- TechForce Network: https://techforce.org/
- Caliber Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP) https://www.caliber.com/why-caliber/restoring-you/technician-apprentice-program
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2022 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner Announcement
TechForce Foundation® Announces Grand Prize Winner
In 4th Annual Techs Rock AwardsTM
Auto Technician Daniel McCrum of Gulfport, MS Named Grand Prize Winner; Five Professional Technicians Honored for Passion and Commitment to Career
December 6, 2022 — PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation® announces automotive technician Daniel McCrum of CarMax in Gulfport, MS as the 2022 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner. 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 full slate of honorees including Category and Grand Prize Winners at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
“What!? Wow… I’m in, like, shock right now. Thank you!” Daniel exclaimed upon learning of his Award. “I kinda thought I had a pretty fair chance to win something because of everything I overcame, but I didn’t think I could win the whole thing. This is a national contest… it’s nationwide wide and I won!”
Not every student needs to go to a 4-year university. TechForce created the Techs Rock Awards to highlight the contributions of technicians in their workplaces and communities and demonstrate to the public that a technical education and career is a viable pathway to success. The Awards showcase the benefits of an in-demand technician career to spark students’ interest, and the TechForce Network meets those students where they are with the resources needed to explore and pursue a technical education and career.
Thousands of TechForce followers weighed in to select Daniel as the Grand Prize Winner from among five Category Winners in the November 28 – December 2, 2022 People’s Choice public vote. Daniel previously won the Awards’ Barrier Buster Category.
As the Grand Prize Winner Daniel will receive more than $10,000 in total prizes from TechForce and our industry partners. Prize sponsors include Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Caliber, Cengage Learning, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Snap-on Industrial and WD-40 Company.
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 alone, including:
- Each Category Winner (Grand Prize Winner included) received tools, gift cards and other prizes valued at over $1,700.
- The Grand Prize Winner also receives 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.
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.
The 2022 Category Winners represent five states and five companies including one independently-owned auto repair shop and one technical school. Each honoree is recognized in one of the Techs Rock Awards’ distinct categories:
- 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 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 national 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
- Winner photos: https://adobe.ly/3i9pVqI
- 2022 Techs Rock Awards website: TechForce.org/TechsRock
- 2022 Techs Rock Awards logo: https://adobe.ly/3gmW2SO
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