Inside TechForce | February 2024
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TechForce Announces Techs Rock Awards Finalists, Opens Public Vote to Decide Grand Prize Winners
TechForce Announces Techs Rock Awards Finalists, Opens Public Vote to Decide Grand Prize Winners
Awards Show Respect for Techs; Students and Professional Technicians Honored for their Commitment to the Profession and Work to Keep America Moving Now and into the Future
February 14, 2024 — PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation has named the Finalists in its Techs Rock Awards and opened the public People’s Choice Grand Prize Vote. One Future Technician and one Working Technician Finalist, as chosen by the public vote, will be named Grand Prize Winners. Voting is open now through February 28, 2024 at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
TechForce Foundation’s Techs Rock Awards is the premier awards program recognizing both technical students’ and professional technicians’ commitment to the profession. The pressing national demand for top-tier technicians–nearly three job openings for every tech school graduate–drives the Techs Rock Awards. Honorees serve as true role models, inspiring the next generation and fueling the pipeline of future technicians.
“These Finalists are rockstars, dedicated to both their craft and inspiring others to follow their path,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “By recognizing these individuals, we motivate others to pursue technical careers and further bridge the narrowing skills gap. Cast your vote now to help us celebrate the students and technicians who are shaping the future of their industries.”
The public is invited to meet the Finalists and vote for the Future Tech and Working Tech Grand Prize Winners now until February 28th at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
Future Technician Finalists include:
- Automotive & Motorsports: Misael Rodriguez, Ben Davis High School & Area 31 Career Center
- Aviation, Motorcycle & Marine: Zoe Pernites, Aviation Institute of Maintenance
- Collision, Restoration & Welding: Madysen Smith, Dauphin County Technical School
- Diesel: Alejandra Rivas, Western Technical College
- Emerging Technologies: Michael Meier, Centura College
Working Technicians Finalists include:
- Automotive & Motorsports: Dustin Thomas, CarMax
- Aviation, Motorcycle & Marine: Joshua Borel, Chennault Aviation Academy
- Collision, Restoration & Welding: Kevin Walker, Caliber Collision
- Diesel: Christopher Heil, TA Truck Service
- Emerging Technologies: Paul Herold, Firestone Complete Auto Care
Finalists were selected by a celebrity panel of expert judges, including ChrisFix, The World’s Largest Automotive YouTuber; Sabré Cook, Professional Racing Driver & Mechanical Engineer; JP Emerson, Automotive Journalist & Host of The JP Emerson Show; John Gardner, Host of “Tech Garage” & “Motorhead Garage” TV series; MBP, Shoreline, and Six, Hosts of the Cancelled for Maintenance Podcast; Humble Mechanic, Host of Humble Mechanic YouTube Channel; Frank Leutz, Host of Wrench Nation Car Talk Radio and Owner of Desert Car Care of Chandler; Emily Reeves, Co-Host of Flying Sparks Garage; Brandon Steckler, Technical Editor at Motor Age Magazine; and Micki Woods, President of Micki Woods Marketing & Host of the Body Bangin’ Podcast.
One technician and one student Grand Prize Winner will each receive a trip to Glendale, Arizona to enjoy Mecum Glendale 2024 and meet and be honored by industry leaders at TechForce’s National Partner Summit. The Grand Prize Winners will also receive a NAPA Carlyle toolbox stocked with Carlyle tools valued at $8K each. Thanks to TechForce partner Hertz, Grand Prize Winners will also receive a week-long rental of a cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) and experience the thrill of eco-friendly, high-performance driving in style! Each of the eight Runners Up will also receive a $500 AutoZone gift card and a GEARWRENCH Modular Tool Set valued up to $1,000.
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 $4 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 network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources 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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Empire Auto Parts Celebrates Black History Month
Empire Auto Parts Celebrates Black History Month
Creates Scholarship Fund in Partnership with TechForce Foundation
TOTOWA, NJ – February 13, 2024 – Empire Auto Parts, a leading distributor of high-quality aftermarket collision parts for automotive repair shops, announces the creation of the Empire Auto Parts Scholarship Fund. Initially, each year the fund will award two scholarships to two students enrolled in a post-secondary school collision repair program in an underserved community within Empire’s geographic market. The scholarship fund has been created as part of Empire’s celebration of Black History Month and will be administered by the TechForce Foundation.
For the last several years, the collision repair industry has been hit hard by a shortage of technicians, which ultimately affects all sectors of the industry, as well as those that rely on it. TechForce, along with other organizations, is committed to closing this resource gap by facilitating entry of the next generation of workers into an increasingly technology-driven collision repair workplace.
“Empire Auto Parts is proud to join with other market leaders to provide the resources necessary to enable talented students the opportunity to pursue their passion in this exciting and rapidly changing industry,” said Empire’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Siebert. “We look forward to participating
in the hard work necessary to find, develop and retain the people who will be the future leaders of the industry.”
The Empire Auto Parts Scholarship Fund will award two $2,000 scholarships. In total, TechForce Foundation will be awarding $4 million in scholarships in 2024. To learn more about TechForce Foundation and apply for scholarship opportunities, visit https://techforce.org/our-work/#scholarships.
The scholarships are part of a larger, multi-year financial commitment that Empire has made in support of TechForce Foundation’s mission to champion students to and through their education into technical careers, including developing the next wave of collision industry professionals. In addition to these two scholarships, Empire will also donate parts to be used in schools that participate in TechForce’s skill development programs.
About Empire Auto Parts – Empire Auto Parts has been a leader in the aftermarket auto parts industry since its founding in 1985. With over 48,000 SKUs in inventory across 39 locations, Empire offers broad
part availability, top-quality brands, and fast, reliable deliveries processed by friendly and knowledgeable staff members. With its own proprietary technology and integrations with third party software estimation and procurement systems, Empire provides a better buying experience for collision
repair shops. For more information on Empire Auto Parts, contact Dale Sailer at 312-613-3032, or visit www.empireautoparts.com.
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 $4 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 network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry
professionals and enthusiasts is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources 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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