Spencer Gordon, Author at TechForce

Scholarships | Schools | Jobs | Techforce

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024

Inside TechForce | January 2024

Exciting news!! 🚀 We have $4M in scholarships for 2024 to help you kickstart your career.

Accelerate Tuition Scholarships: Need a hand with tuition? We’ve got your back. These scholarships are all about making technical education affordable.

Phoebe Omlie Awards: Ever heard of Phoebe Omlie? She rocked the aviation world as the first female with an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license. We’re honoring her legacy with awards for aviation tech students ranging from $500 to $5,000. Use the cash for tools or school fees. Hurry, the deadline is February 15th!

Our scholarships aren’t just about money; they’re about empowering YOU!

APPLY NOW

NEW IN TECHFORCE

Leaaderboard Challenge

New year, new challenge! The student with the most points in January will win a $200 AMEX Gift Card. Looks like Edgar DeSantis of BOCES has a strong lead but former winner, Adin Papendick, of Lincoln Tech Mahwah is close behind!!!

Name that Sound

Are you an expert at deciphering mysterious sounds? NEW: “Name That Sound” Contest is up for a $100 Gift Card to Harbor Freight! Last month we did not have any winners, so step up and see if you win TechForce’s hardest contest!

VIP Event:

Central Texas, we have a super exclusive event just for you! Get hands- at the Ferrari of Austin Event on February 17, 2024 at 10am.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S NEW

INSTRUCTORS – FREE RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE

TechForce understands the countless responsibilities you juggle as an instructor. Why not let us lend a hand?

FREE Instructor Resources

We believe that you, as an instructor, should focus on what you do best: helping students get further, faster with a tech career. Join TechForce (FREE) today.

VIEW INSTRUCTOR KITS

HELP STUDENTS FIND A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREER THAT FITS.

TechForce is a non-profit 501(c)(3) funded by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. Gifts are 100% tax deductible.

DONATE NOW

Go Further, Faster with a Tech Career

12621 N Tatum Blvd #304, Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85032

Congratulations to 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner Taeler Coverdale of Universal Technical Institute.

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023

Under The Hood Newsletter | March 2023

TechForce Newsletter: Celebrating Women in the Trades

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

Hello,

Spring is in full swing! Our March newsletter has your free event tickets, scholarships and updates. Read the ways TechForce is helping students through their education and into careers as professional technicians.

Be sure to mark your calendar for a big TechForce announcement coming on March 30!

Scholarships & Grants

We’re doubling our scholarships in 2023 to $2.3 Million! Head to TechForce.org/Scholarships to learn how TechForce can help you cover the cost of your technical education. New scholarships are awarded each month, so submit your general application today.

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

Driven to Care John F. Weinberger Legacy Scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2023 | Amount: $1,000–$6,000
Learn more and apply>>

Nissan Students: TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2023 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships
Deadline: Mar 31, 2023 | Amount: Varies
Learn more and apply>>

Women in Trucking Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: April 16, 2023 | Amount: $1,000
Learn more and apply>>

Upcoming Events

Join us for an upcoming event! Find our full calendar of industry events, ticket giveaways, and more in TechForce. Request your tickets with your own free account here>>

Don’t miss the TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center:

– Fri, 3/24 @ NHRA Arizona Nationals

– Sat, 4/1 @ EVIT Auto Skills Challenge

– 4/14 – 4/16 @ Grand Prix of Long Beach

Stop by for hands-on games including the Pit Crew Challenge, talk to TechForce staff and learn about high-tech in-demand tech careers. Log in to find more events.

TechForce has your free tickets to these upcoming events

– 3/24 – NHRA Arizona Nationals

– 3/25 – Trans Am Atlanta Speed Tour

– 3/30 – Mecum Glendale Experience

– 4/14 – Mecum Houston Experience

Get the TechForce App!

Join the great organizations below in supporting TechForce. Donate Now

Thanks to TechForce’s top-tier donors!

FTRA | Future Techs Rock Awards | Students | TechForce

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023

Under The Hood Newsletter | February 2023

Stay up to date with the latest news.

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

Hello,

It’s almost March! Read our newsletter below to take advantage of TechForce opportunities this spring. Vote for the FutureTechs Rock Grand Prize Winner this week, hear from scholarship recipients, find scholarships of your own, compete for major giveaways and more!

Scholarships & Grants

New TechForce scholarships open and are Awarded each month. Visit TechForce.org/Scholarships to learn how TechForce can help you cover the cost of your technical education, with these Awards and more:

TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarships
Deadline: End of each month | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

Ford Students: TechForce Ford Accelerate Tuition Scholarship
Deadline: End of each month | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

LAST CHANCE: The Pheobe Omlie Scholarship
Deadline: Feb 28, 2023 | Amount: $500–$2,500
Learn more and apply>>

Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships
Deadline: Mar 31, 2023 | Amount: Varies
Learn more and apply>>

Upcoming Events

Join us for an upcoming event! Find our full calendar of industry events, ticket giveaways, and more in TechForce. Get started with your own free account here>>

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 & Celebrity Ambassadors!

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.

instructor | network | workforce development | TechForce

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022

Under The Hood Newsletter | December 2022

December Newsletter: Happy Holidays + $10,000 contest ☃️🕙💲

The official newsletter of TechForce Foundation^®. TechForce programs and scholarships are made possible by donors like you.

Happy holidays Spenser,

With the end of the year upon us, TechForce’s December newsletter is looking forward to 2023.

Inside this edition: Free events, scholarships, ways to support technician students this holiday season, and even an instructor-exclusive contest with $10,000 in prizes on the line!

Scholarships & Grants

Here are just a few of the scholarships & grants currently available in TechForce. Our scholarship portal just had a system refresh, so now is a great time to make sure your General Application has the most up-to-date information. Visit TechForce.org/Scholarships to apply for these scholarships and more from around the industry:

TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarships
Deadline: Dec 31, 2022 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

Life Happens Emergency Grants
Deadline: Dec 31, 2022 | Amount: $400–$1,200
Learn more and apply>>

Upcoming Events

Find industry events like these and more in TechForce. Log in or create your free account at https://techforce.org/app/sign-up

Jan. 7: VIP Student Experience @ Mecum

Join us for a backstage tour of Mecum Kissimmee in Florida on January 7^th! Tickets are limited to students and instructors only. Log in or join TechForce to get your free ticket.

Jan. 28: TechForce STEM Career Center @ EVIT Expo

Don’t miss the TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center at EVIT Expo 2023 on January 28^th! Join us for games and to learn more about high-tech in-demand technician careers. 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!

The logos of TechForce Foundation's major financial contributors.

The logos of TechForce Foundation's celebrity ambassadors.

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022

Under The Hood Newsletter | November 2022

November Newsletter: VOTE NOW for Techs Rock Grand Prize Winner!

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Ways to engage with TechForce this month

As a friend of TechForce, we rely on you to help make our efforts a success. Here are some easy ways you can help:

Vote for the Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner and encourage your friends, customers, and employees to do the same by 11:59 PM PT Friday
Donate. Support technical education and careers by making a year-end, charitable donation to TechForce
Read & share our 2022 Technician Supply & Demand Report
Download the TechForce app for iOS and Android
Recommend a technician for our Women Techs Rock interview series

SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID – Apply now

Reminder that November scholarships close today. If you miss the deadline don’t worry. TechForce scholarships and grants are open throughout the year and cover educational expenses like tuition, tools, books, transportation, and even emergencies. Visit TechForce.org/Scholarships to find scholarships from around the industry, including the opportunities below:

Opportunity: TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarships
Deadline: Nov 30, 2022 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Driven to Care: Tom & Kevin Caulfield Scholarship Fund
Deadline: Nov 30, 2022 | Amount: $1,000
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Boom & Bucket’s Student Scholarship Program
Deadline: June 15, 2023 | Amount: $1,000
Learn more and apply>>

UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet up with TechForce at these December events. Be the first to know about free tickets to events & experiences; get the TechForce app at TechForce.org.

Last Collision Careers Pit Stop of 2022 is next week in Texas

Join TechForce, Learning Undefeated and Caliber Collision Dec. 10^th as we partner to host the final Collision Careers Pit Stop event of the year! Recent attendees have had a blast at these events, and it’s easy to see why. From exclusive collision shop tours and hands-on paint & technician demos to a high-speed RC car derby and giveaway, these events are built for you. Get your free tickets today>>

Hey Florida Instructors: Bring your class to RM Sotheby’s for free

Events_RM Sothebys Auction promo image-1

Would you like to bring your students to the RM Sotheby’s Auction in Miami Saturday, Dec. 10^th? Simply request tickets in TechForce and we’ll reach out to you to handle the rest. Only Instructors can sign up, so students make sure your teacher sees this! Log in or create your TechForce profile and then head to our events section to register today. See you there!

Don’t miss the TechForce STEM Career Center at X-STEM Phoenix

TechForce is bringing our mobile STEM Career Center to X-STEM Phoenix on Dec. 8^th. X-STEM is an all-day conference-style event for middle and high school students. Parents and educators can still register to bring your students. We hope you can join us to explore STEM opportunities in technician careers!

Under The Hood Newsletter | October 2022

The Techs Rock Awards are open, our new Technician Supply & Demand Report is on the way, new scholarships and free events are available, and the TechForce app is live. TechForce Foundation’s October newsletter is all treats, no tricks!

SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID – Apply now!

Don’t let the cost of school scare you this Halloween. TechForce scholarships and grants cover educational expenses including tuition, tools, books, transportation, and even emergencies! Visit TechForce.org/Scholarships to discover scholarships from around the industry, on top of the opportunities below:

Opportunity: TechForce Accelerate Tuition Scholarships
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022 | Amount: $1,000–$2,000
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Life Happens Emergency Grants
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022 | Amount: $400–$1,200
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Ford Training Scholarships
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022 | Amount: Varies by Award
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Driven to Care: Dale Schneider Memorial Fund
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022 | Amount: $1,000
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Pedal to the Metal Advanced Training Tuition and Relocation Awards
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022 | Amount: $450–$1,000
Learn more and apply>>

Opportunity: Federal Student Loan Debt Relief
Deadline: Apr 30, 2023
Amount: Up to $10,000 or $20,000; See application for details
Learn more and apply>>

UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet up with TechForce at these upcoming events. Be the first to know about free tickets to events & experiences. Get the TechForce app at TechForce.org.

Visit the TechForce STEM Career Center at AAPEX 11/1-11/3

If you’re in Las Vegas next week be sure to stop by our mobile STEM Career Center, sponsored by Autolite and Penske Truck Leasing, at AAPEX 2022. Our interactive exhibit is open 9 am – 5 pm Nov. 1^st to 3^rd in the Tool & Equipment Section on the 1st floor of the Venetian Expo, Booth R-8438. See you there!

Your free ticket to Collision Careers Pit Stop on 11/19 & 12/10

Collision Careers Pit Stop is coming to Texas for events on Nov. 19^th and Dec. 10^th. Attendees will get exclusive collision shop tours, hands-on paint and technician demos, and the chance to modify, race and even win a high-speed RC car! The event is hosted by TechForce, Learning Undefeated and Caliber Collision. Registration is free but limited, so get your tickets today>>

MORE NEWS

Grant recipient Jinelee found her passion during the pandemic

Women Techs Rock grant recipient Jinelee discovered her passion for a tech career during the pandemic, and is already well on her way to achieving her new dream of owning an all-women’s garage! Let Jinelee’s story inspire you to find a TechForce scholarship of your own.

Support TechForce at no cost to you with AmazonSmile

Your Amazon shopping can support TechForce by following these simple steps: 1) Go to Smile.Amazon.com, 2) Sign in, 3) Select TechForce Foundation as your charity, and 4) Start shopping! A percentage of your Amazon purchases will support TechForce at no cost to you. Be sure to shop at Smile.Amazon.com instead of plain old Amazon.com this holiday season!

#WomenTechsRock: Caliber VP Jamie’s career took her from tech to exec

TechForce recently featured a conversation with Caliber Collision Regional VP Jamie in our #WomenTechsRock interview series. Jamie started with Caliber Collision even before she was a tech, and worked her way up to where she is now. Watch the interview to hear Jamie’s advice.

Know a tech we should interview? Tell us at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories