2023

Portrait of Gideon smiling into the camera and wearing semi-formal clothes.

February 20, 2023February 22, 2023

Gideon Pursues American Dream with TechForce Scholarship

Gideon's Passion for Automotive: Made Possible by Hard Work and Powered by a TechForce Foundation Scholarship

by TechForce Staff

Meet Gideon, a TechForce scholarship recipient originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who is now studying to become an automotive technician in the United States.

Our staff had an opportunity to hear from Gideon on how his family created the opportunity for him to pursue his education in the US, and his plans for a career in the future of mobility.

Developing a Passion for Automotive

Gideon’s determination to achieve his goals is clear. “My dream career is to become an automotive inventor. I want to start my own business one day and build future cars.”

However, he faced an all too relatable challenge early in his educational career. “I struggled to find something that I was passionate about as a kid. Now I found the automotive industry and it’s the number one motivation I have for my life.”

Thanks to his education in the United States Gideon was able to discover and pursue his passion for automotive. Without his family’s hard work and perseverance in moving to the US, Gideon says, he would not have had the same opportunities.

Failure is Not an Option

“Life was really hard, especially for my mother. In the Congo, everyone is expected to pay for school from kindergarten through college. Most people don’t have the money, so they either had to be taught at home or not at all, creating a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity,” Gideon explained. “This is why we came to the US for better education and more opportunities.”

Adjusting to life in the US was of course a challenge, but as he puts it, “I do not consider failure an option.”

His hard work is paying off – Gideon is thriving! “I’ve taken 14 classes at UTI and managed to stay above a 3.5 GPA while working at Firestone to gain experience. I’ve learned so many things, like basic maintenance, suspension, alignments, electrical diagnostics, and more.”

TechForce Scholarships Create Space to Become "Best of the Best"

Gideon is thrilled and honored to have received TechForce Foundation’s Ford FACT Pedal to the Metal MSAT Tuition Scholarship. The scholarship is one of many funded by Ford Motor Company and awarded by TechForce throughout the year to help students cover the cost of their advanced Ford-specific technician training courses.

Gideon is looking forward to continuing to further his education, and can’t wait for his automotive career to officially begin.

In his own words, “For me, this is only the beginning of something big and I am really ambitious about it. After I graduate from UTI I will strive to be the best of the best. Then I will work my way up to start my own network for inventing unique transportation vehicles.”

About TechForce Scholarships

A TechForce scholarship (or cash grant) is a financial award to aid students in paying for the cost of their technical education. It does not require repayment. TechForce scholarships are privately funded by our partners, meaning the funds come from corporate and individual donors – not the government. It’s expected our scholarships are added to any other financial support you receive.

TechForce Foundation awards over $1.5 Million annually to students in transportation technician programs around the country. Eligible technician programs include automotive, aviation, collision repair, diesel on- & off-road, motorcycle, marine & watercraft, restoration, welding, CNC and more!

Find a scholarship and apply today at TechForce.org/Scholarships

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February 14, 2023February 14, 2023

TechForce Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

TechForce Foundation^® Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

TechForce expands its impact on students’ technical education and career success with added collision repair, reconditioning, automotive service, fleet maintenance and business development expertise.

February 14, 2023 – PHOENIX – TechForce Foundation^®, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians, welcomes new officers to its Board of Directors for 2023 including Jon Vesely Vice Chair; Paul Halsch, Treasurer; David Ellis, Secretary; and Jennifer Maher as Ex-Officio Member. Angie Babin is returning as Chair/President.

“Our new officers and board members bring a tremendous passion for our charitable mission along with a wide range of industry and philanthropic experience. Together we are working to raise more resources to help even more students experience the joy and fulfillment of tech careers,” says Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation Executive Director. “The reward our board, volunteers and staff get is immeasurable when hearing from our students what a difference TechForce makes in helping them fulfill their dreams. We are truly changing lives and communities.”

Paul Halsch, Mary Mahoney and Jon Vesely joined TechForce’s national Board of Directors in the Fall of 2022. Each of them bring industry and nonprofit expertise which helps further strengthen TechForce’s ability to achieve its mission.

Paul Halsch brings 30+ years experience as an executive with collision repair and automotive service brands including FinishMaster, Pep Boys, and more. In his most recent position Paul served as VP of Reconditioning for Cox Automotive.
Mary Mahoney, VP of Replacement and Leisure Division at Enterprise Holdings, provides leadership and guidance for Enterprise’s largest global accounts and is responsible for client and industry relations in the insurance, collision, dealer, OEM, and leisure/affinity segments. She has taken on many leadership positions in her decades-long Enterprise career, including spearheading the industry wide Collision Engineering initiative.
Jon Vesely brings a passion for community service and over 30 years experience in senior leadership positions developing and leading growth-oriented strategies in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. He is the Chair of the Board of several companies, an active business investor, and head of his family foundation.

More information including roles and photographs for TechForce Foundation’s full 13-member Board of Directors can be found at techforce.org/about-us/#board-of-directors

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.

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Humble Mechanic Scholarship | Workforce Development | TechForce Foundation

February 9, 2023February 14, 2023

The 1st Humble Mechanic Scholarship

I'Rule Faison Receives 1st Scholarship From The Humble Mechanic

I’Rule says, “I am passionate about pursuing a technical education simply because I have always loved cars, solving problems and bringing things I think about into reality. My grandfather used to drag race cars and would tell me stories about all the cars he had beaten in his 1971 Ford Torino Cobra. Over time I got more interested in how cars worked. I ultimately decided I would get an automotive technical degree so that I could have the knowledge to fix cars to help people, or even to do amazing alterations to cars. I have a fascinating imagination when it comes to cars and I’ve always wanted the ability to turn my imagination into a reality. My dream career is to bring not only my own, but also other people’s imaginations to a reality when it comes to cars. I want to be able to turn a naturally aspirated engine/vehicle into a turbocharged engine/vehicle and change an economy vehicle into a racing car.”

I’Rule has enjoyed beginning to work on cars. He says, “The first oil change that I performed on my own car was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Though it was an older Honda Civic, I had never done an oil change before and had never touched a vehicle before. I wanted to save money by not going to a dealership but also gather my own experience as well. After I gathered the parts that I needed, I prepared my jack and two jack stands for a simple oil change. But I realized after I drained the oil from the oil pan, “What am I going to take the filter off with?” Thinking on my toes, I remembered that my mother had some channel lock pliers sitting in our laundry room. I ran in the house to get the channel lock pliers and tried to get a good grip on the oil filter. Unfortunately, the angle that I was grasping the filter made it hard to twist but I continued on for what seemed like hours slowly twisting the filter off until finally it came off. I was ecstatic as I replaced the old filter with a brand-new filter. After putting oil in my car, I felt so accomplished knowing that I performed my first oil change without any experience and lacking the proper tools.”

He has continued working on cars, now in his place of employment. “After I moved to North Carolina to attend NASCAR Technical Institute, I immediately got a job at a Toyota dealership. I learned the ropes of doing oil changes and tire rotations. I also learned how to get settled in a bustling and loud work environment and get work done efficiently as well. I am currently working at an Infiniti dealership where I have learned mounting and balancing of tires, alignments, brake jobs, working on used cars for people to buy by determining the problems they had when they arrived and fixing them.”

Especially as a fan of the Humble Mechanic, I’Rule was excited to learn that he was awarded the Humble Mechanic Scholarship. He is so thankful for this financial assistance, so he can more fully focus on his education and future career goals.

January 26, 2023January 29, 2023

Under the Hood Newsletter | January 2023

The official newsletter of TechForce Foundation^®, made possible by donors like you who believe everyone should have a chance to succeed.

TechForce Foundation,

We at TechForce hope your 2023 is off to a great start… our’s certainly is! Read our January newsletter below for scholarship opportunities, a FutureTechs Rock Awards update, contest results and more. We hope to see you at one of this spring’s events!

Scholarships & Grants

Below are just a few of the scholarships currently open in TechForce. Visit TechForce.org/Scholarships to learn how TechForce can help you cover the cost of your technical education.

TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarships
Deadline: Jan 31, 2023 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

TechForce Life Happens Emergency Grants
Deadline: Jan 30, 2023 | Amount: $400–$1,200
Learn more and apply>>

The Pheobe Omlie Scholarship
Deadline: Mar 1, 2023 | Amount: $500–$2,500
Learn more and apply>>

Professional Aviation Maintenance Association Scholarships
Deadline: Mar 1, 2023 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

The Brown Hudner Navy Scholarship
Deadline: Mar 1, 2023 | Amount: Varies
Learn more and apply>>

Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Scholarships
Deadline: Mar 9, 2023 | Amount: $500-$5,000
Learn more and apply>>

Upcoming Events

Join us for an upcoming event! Find industry events like these and more in TechForce. Get started with your own free account here>>

Jan. 28: TechForce STEM Career Center @ EVIT Expo

Don’t miss the TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center at the EVIT Expo 2023 this Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9AM – 1PM in Mesa, AZ. Stop by our exhibit at the free family-friendly event for games and to learn more about high-tech in-demand technician careers. View event details.

Feb. 4: TechForce STEM Center @ Concours in the Hills

Join us for another fun & free Arizona event! TechForce’s Mobile STEM Center will be at Concours in the Hills on Feb. 4 from 10AM – 3PM in Fountain Hills, AZ. Be sure to stop by for games, career resources, and to say hi! View event details.

Stay connected. Get the TechForce App!

Join the great organizations below in supporting TechForce. Donate Now

Thank you to TechForce Foundation’s top-tier Corporate Partners and Celebrity Ambassadors!

Future Techs Rock Awards | FTRA | Students | Techforce

January 24, 2023

Nominations Open in TechForce Foundation^®’s 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards

Nominations Open in TechForce Foundation^®’s 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards^TM, Ten Students to Receive National Honor

Ten transportation technician students to be recognized nationally for outstanding contributions as role models in school and communities

January 23, 2023 – PHOENIX – TechForce Foundation’s^® 5^th annual FutureTechs Rock Awards season has begun. TechForce created this prestigious award to honor aspiring technicians and recognize students with a promising future in the transportation industry. The FutureTechs Rock Awards are accepting nominations through 5 PM PT, February 10, 2023. Nominate a technician student today at TechForce.org/FutureTechsRock.

Over $10,000 in scholarships and prizes will be awarded:

Each of the ten (10) Category Winners, as selected by a panel of industry judges, will receive prizes valued at nearly $700 including training materials, supplies and products from TechForce partners including NISSAN, Advance Auto Parts, CRC Industries, Cengage, AutoZone, New Ford Tech, Volvo, WD-40 Company and Snap-on Industrial.

The Grand Prize Winner, as chosen by popular vote, will also receive a $1,000 TechForce scholarship and additional prizes valued over $2,000 from partners including NISSAN, Advance Auto Parts, CRC Industries, Cengage, AutoZone, New Ford Tech, WD-40 Company and Snap-on Industrial.

Students will be considered for one of ten categories depending on their academic focus including Automotive, Aviation, Collision Repair, Diesel On-Road and Off-Road, Marine/Watercraft, Motorcycle/ATV, Motorsports, Restoration and Welding/CNC.

A panel of industry experts will select one winner from each of the ten categories. The Grand Prize Winner will be selected from the slate of Category Winners via a People’s Choice Public Vote, to be held February 27 – March 3, 2023.

Past Grand Prize Winner Zander Worm remarked on how the FutureTechs Rock Awards helped him in his education, “It’s amazing to know that other people have faith in me, that I [have something] to offer to the industry… [The Awards] are helping me start my career… debt free.” Hear Zander’s message and meet last year’s winners.

Since 2019, TechForce Foundation and our partners have awarded 40 transportation technician students with over $47,000 in prizes through the annual FutureTechs Awards. The Awards are made possible because of generous donations from corporations and everyday people who believe everyone should have a chance to succeed.

The FutureTechs 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.

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scholarship | veteran | Workforce | TechForce

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023

Conor is pursuing his passion thanks to TechForce’s Veterans At Work: Military Transition Fund

How Technician & Navy Veteran Conor Went Pipeline to Placement and Beyond with TechForce

“Pursuing a technical education has set part of the foundation of my life,” says Conor. “I started working on classic Fords from day one with my family. Later things got difficult and we were very poor. When I was 13, I worked doing oil changes, brakes, and cleaning to help pay the bills. When I was 14, I moved to a dairy farm and it changed my life. I did all sorts of dirty jobs, but my favorite was the shop where we worked on the equipment. I became the neighborhood mechanic.”

Wrenching Through Difficult Times

After high school, Conor joined the Navy where he got to work on airplanes. Unfortunately, his military career took a left turn when he suffered a shattered ankle. “I was put in a limited-duty status that didn’t allow me to do my job, so I turned back to flipping cars to make extra money.”

Now on an honorable medical discharge, and a father of three with a fourth baby on the way, he’s had multiple surgeries including one that resulted in having his ankle fused. “That still didn’t stop me from working on things,” he says. “Mechanics has always provided me with joy and an ability to combat depression. I love turning on music and wrenching on anything. The sense of accomplishment when the job is done makes me feel great.”

Transitioning into the Civilian Workforce with Help from TechForce Donors

In 2021 Conor decided to pursue his passion and started his technical education. He soon after discovered TechForce, joined the Network and received a relocation grant through the Veterans At Work: Military Transition Fund – Sunstate Equipment grant.

Thanks to support from generous donors who believe everyone should have a chance to succeed, Conor was able to move with his family closer to school.

Conor is thriving today

“It’s great that TechForce is bringing awareness to the industry. There are so many other technical options and opportunities for people who aren’t interested in going to a traditional college. TechForce has been really helpful with my education and their Network is an excellent resource with a great community of industry people, tutorial videos, upcoming events, and even fun things like trivia.”

TechForce was able to help connect Conor with Sunstate Equipment, where he was hired as a technician. “I am excited for the chance to work at Sunstate. There are so many opportunities for growth plus, they really appreciate and take care of their employees. I am very thankful to TechForce for helping me land this job.”

Conor recently reflected on his experience with TechForce Foundation, “TechForce is an unbelievable free resource and it has been a big help throughout my entire process from school to career. I will recommend TechForce to other people and I’ll definitely keep using its Network while I finish my education and throughout my career.”

About TechForce Scholarships

Learn more and apply for TechForce scholarships and grants at TechForce.org/Scholarships

A photo of a man and woman in professional attire looking under the hood at a vehicle engine.

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023

Enterprise and Ford Partner to Expand Collision Engineering Program

Automotive Industry Leaders Enterprise and Ford Partner to Expand Collision Engineering Program

Industry Partnership will Address National Collision Technician Shortage and Open the Program’s Seventh U.S. School

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 18, 2023) – Enterprise Holdings, through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, today announced a strategic partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund to support the growth of the industry-leading Collision Engineering Program (CEP). The new industry partnership will expand the CEP to a new college that will become the seventh school to offer the two-year apprenticeship model, founded by Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College, to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry.

The Ford Fund will offer scholarships to CEP students to prevent any barriers to students’ academic success. Ford Fund’s support will also fund program startup costs, instructor training and school equipment such as lab materials, and provide students access to toolkits, uniforms, PPE, certifications, tuition assistance, assessments and other student-centered resources at the new school.

“This is an exciting time to support students pursuing careers in collision engineering,” said Mike Schmidt, economic mobility director at Ford Motor Company Fund. “As the auto industry is rapidly evolving, the need for bright minds who are passionate about technical careers becomes greater every day. Partnerships like these allow us to drive progress more quickly, and with a greater impact, for the next generation of engineers.”

With more than 110,000 new collision technicians needed between 2022 and 2026, according to the TechForce Foundation, a national public charity, the CEP is designed in collaboration with the automotive industry and encourages schools and industry leaders to work together to build a new generation of highly skilled, motivated and passionate collision repair professionals. Throughout the Program, students learn in both classrooms and modern collision engineering facilities where industry experts provide real-world education as students work toward earning their associate degree.

“Widespread industry support is vital to addressing the worker shortage and skills gap, and to ensuring the success of the Collision Engineering Program,” said Mary Mahoney, vice president at Enterprise Holdings. “As a leader in the automotive industry, we’re committed to addressing these challenges with our partners. We could not be more thrilled to expand our longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Fund, to increase access to the Program and help address this ongoing industry challenge.”

The CEP is also partnering with the TechForce Foundation to help administer the Ford Fund scholarships for students enrolled in the Program.

“This collaboration enables even more students who are passionate about the collision engineering field to pursue their dreams,” said Jennifer Maher, executive director of TechForce Foundation. “Cars today are computers on wheels, and the technology is advancing rapidly. It takes a highly skilled technician — an engineer — who can properly service the paint and body, calibration and mechanics required to ensure the repair and safety of the vehicle. TechForce is honored to partner with CEP and Ford Fund to administer the Ford Fund scholarships.”

The Program is currently active at six schools across the U.S. including Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri; College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California; Collin College in Allen, Texas; Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas; and Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. The seventh school that will be opened through the Ford Fund’s support will be announced in the coming months.

For more information about the Collision Engineering Program, visit www.beacollisionengineer.com.

About Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of mobility solutions, owning and operating the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries. Enterprise Holdings and its affiliates offer extensive car rental, carsharing, truck rental, fleet management, retail car sales, as well as travel management and other transportation services, to make travel easier and more convenient for customers. Privately held by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Mo., Enterprise Holdings manages a diverse fleet of more than 2.1 million vehicles through a network of nearly 10,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport rental locations in more than 90 countries and territories.

About Ford Motor Company Fund

As the automaker’s philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting local communities for more than 70 years. Working with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and across the Ford network in the U.S. and in 43 countries, Ford Fund provides resources and opportunities that advance racial equity and empower people to reach their highest potential. Since 1949, Ford and Ford Fund have invested more than $2.2 billion in initiatives that ensure basic needs are met, provide access to essential services, offer tools to build new skillsets, and open pathways to high-quality jobs.

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 and LinkedIn.

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Gideon's Passion for Automotive: Made Possible by Hard Work and Powered by a TechForce Foundation Scholarship

Developing a Passion for Automotive

Failure is Not an Option

TechForce Scholarships Create Space to Become "Best of the Best"

About TechForce Scholarships

TechForce Foundation® Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

TechForce expands its impact on students’ technical education and career success with added collision repair, reconditioning, automotive service, fleet maintenance and business development expertise.

I'Rule Faison Receives 1st Scholarship From The Humble Mechanic

Top Stories

Scholarships & Grants

Upcoming Events

Other Stories

Stay connected. Get the TechForce App!

Join the great organizations below in supporting TechForce. Donate Now

Thank you to TechForce Foundation’s top-tier Corporate Partners and Celebrity Ambassadors!

Nominations Open in TechForce Foundation®’s 2023 FutureTechs Rock AwardsTM, Ten Students to Receive National Honor

Ten transportation technician students to be recognized nationally for outstanding contributions as role models in school and communities

How Technician & Navy Veteran Conor Went Pipeline to Placement and Beyond with TechForce

Wrenching Through Difficult Times

Transitioning into the Civilian Workforce with Help from TechForce Donors

Conor is thriving today

About TechForce Scholarships

Automotive Industry Leaders Enterprise and Ford Partner to Expand Collision Engineering Program

Industry Partnership will Address National Collision Technician Shortage and Open the Program’s Seventh U.S. School

About Enterprise Holdings

About Ford Motor Company Fund

About TechForce Foundation

Please share your contact details and a TechForce team member will contact you.

TechForce Foundation^® Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

Nominations Open in TechForce Foundation^®’s 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards^TM, Ten Students to Receive National Honor