Interstate Batteries Partners With TechForce Foundation
Interstate Batteries has officially signed on as a national corporate partner of TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech Success℠ campaign, an industry-wide initiative to drive tomorrow’s workforce of qualified technicians. Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation’s CEO, met with Tom Gray, VP of Marketing for Interstate Batteries, and his marketing team last Friday in Dallas to sign the sponsorship agreement.
Interstate Batteries joins an impressive list of corporate partners, including Advance Auto Parts, Autoshop Solutions, Bridgestone, General Motors, Nissan North America, Snap-on, Shell Lubricants, S/P2, Sunstate Equipment, Universal Technical Institute, and WheelTime, each aligning their brands to support the technician profession, and to champion those who love to work with their hands. Welcome, Interstate Batteries!
Strategic Alliance Opportunities
Click on the brochure to enlarge.
The FutureTech Success Campaign
Above is a message from Jennifer Maher | CEO & Executive Director
What does a rapidly shrinking workforce mean for a booming industry rooted in the fast paced world of cutting-edge technology? The perfect storm is afoot. This is exactly the catastrophe staring down the world of transportation tech. With seasoned technicians retiring at an astounding rate, there are simply not enough individuals trained and ready to take their place.
The Challenge:
The transportation industry faces a critical shortage of trained technicians needed to fulfill the workforce demand.
The Solution:
Fuel an industry wide marketing campaign to:
- Reposition the image of the technician.
- Provide experiential opportunities for middle school & high school students
- Connect the passion and sense of purpose of students who discover they love working with their hands and are excited to pursue a technical education.
Read the flipbook above for more details.
Autoshop Solutions to Build FutureTech Successsm Website
Autoshop Solutions to Build FutureTech Successsm Website, Adding Fuel to TechForce Foundation’s Campaign
Autoshop Solutions has donated a generous $50,000 in in-kind services to TechForce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit purposed with supporting technical students to and through their education and into careers in the transportation industry, toward building a website to serve the FutureTech Success sm campaign.
TechForce Foundation has been working tirelessly to build momentum on FutureTech Success sm , an industry wide initiative to fuel the pipeline of future technicians by modernizing the image of the profession, giving middle and high school students and their parents and influencers the resources to recognize and foster tactile intelligence and providing a central industry hub of information, resources and best practices.
Through FutureTech Success sm , a vast array of features will be made available to prospective and current tech students, their parents and influencers, and industry insiders. In order to be effective in conveying the message of FutureTech Success sm , TechForce needs to able to connect its audience to its multitude of resources in a straightforward, engaging manner.
“We have impressive content, now it’s time for an equally impressive website on which to present it,” explains Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “The initiative requires a modern, functional site designed to seamlessly blend innovation and usability—and no one is better suited for the task than one of the industry’s leading web design and internet marketing agencies, Autoshop Solutions.”
Autoshop Solutions knows the online component of the automotive industry inside and out, having been a major industry player for nearly as long as the internet itself has been around. What started out as a humble consulting firm has turned into a full marketing and web design dynasty, earning the company industry-wide acclaim and a six year reign on the Auto Inc. Top Ten Best Websites Awards list.
TechForce strongly believes that FutureTech Success sm has the potential to be a major game-changer regarding the industry wide technician shortage, but in order to have the massive impact expected of it, the initiative needs the right tools. Through the marriage of Autoshop Solutions’ web design and internet marketing expertise and TechForce Foundation’s industry information, resources and connections, the FutureTech Success sm website is poised to be the central hub the industry needs to find its way out of the current technician shortage.
“Everyone goes to the internet for everything—it’s the main information hub,” says Margaret Klemmer, Chief Business Development Officer for Autoshop Solutions. “FutureTech Success sm is poised to do great things, but in order to gain serious traction in our media-heavy society, a clean, well-organized, exciting website is essential,” she continued.
Autoshop Solutions’ generous donation not only allows TechForce the aesthetic, effective website essential in promoting FutureTech Success sm , but it also frees up the money that would have otherwise gone to building the site to be used instead for other technician support. Working with one of the best in any field can often be an expensive endeavour, but Autoshop Solutions refused to let money be a roadblock for the Foundation, offering up its very best in service to the industry.
TechForce Foundation is proud to partner with the industry’s preeminent web design and internet marketing provider, Autoshop Solutions, to create the FutureTech Success sm website and further its missions to fuel the pipeline of future technicians in order to bring about a brighter future for the transportation industry.
About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional technicians for the transportation industry. TechForce Foundation awards roughly $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to students facing financial hardship so they may obtain their post-secondary technical education. Additionally, TechForce leads the FutureTech Success sm , campaign, an industry-wide initiative to drive tomorrow’s workforce of technicians by inspiring, supporting and connecting middle- and high-school students and their influencers with the resources to support their technical education and career development. For more information visit www.techforce.org.
About Autoshop Solutions
Autoshop Solutions is the industry’s leading website design and internet marketing agency. Since 2005, Autoshop Solutions has been known as the expert in automotive internet marketing, helping shop owners grow their businesses by marketing-by-the-numbers through a tested, tracked and developed program guaranteed to improve online presence and drive more cars to
TechForce Foundation Awarding $5,000 in Scholarship Funds to the Arkansas Trucking Association
TechForce Foundation Invests in the Workforce Readiness of Arkansas Diesel Technicians by Awarding $5,000 in Scholarship Funds to the Arkansas Trucking Association
TechForce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit purposed with championing students as they pursue their technical education and careers as professional technicians in the transportation industry, has granted the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) $5,000 to award financially disadvantaged students with tuition scholarships so they may attend any of the accredited diesel/heavy truck technical programs throughout Arkansas.
The current technician shortage spans every inch of the industry, and the solution to this problem lies in unity. Through its support of the ATA, TechForce Foundation demonstrates its commitment to working closely with each facet of the world of transportation tech to be the voice of that united front.
Major industry pillars, such as trucking, have the power to drastically affect the overall health of the industry—and the diesel technicians in training today are the force that will uphold that pillar in the not-so-distant future. The logistics and transportation industry connects every corner of the nation, providing vital services through the distribution of the goods and materials utilized in virtually every aspect of the United States economy.
“Trucks have to keep rolling in order for the U.S. to maintain a healthy, stable economy, and diesel mechanics are what keep those trucks rolling,” explains Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “TechForce is partnering with the ATA to empower students pursuing education and careers as diesel technicians, and to ensure this highly-skilled workforce necessary to maintain our country’s economic stability is readily available.”
The ATA’s mission is straightforward: look out for the collective interests of the trucking industry through raising awareness of how integral the field is to the American economy and serve its members to promote growth and prosperity. TechForce Foundation’s message is much the same. The transportation industry plays a major role in so much more than the average individual is aware. It’s what keeps America moving forward, and the foundation of that movement is the technician workforce.
TechForce Foundation and the ATA look forward to the ways in which their partnership will aid aspiring diesel/heavy truck technicians on the road to achieving a quality technical education and becoming the industry’s much needed, highly-skilled workforce.
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About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional technicians for the transportation industry. TechForce Foundation awards more than $1 million in scholarships and grants annually to students facing financial hardship so they may obtain their post-secondary technical education. Additionally, TechForce leads the FutureTech SuccessSM, campaign, an industry-wide initiative to drive tomorrow’s workforce of technicians by inspiring, supporting and connecting middle- and high-school students and their influencers with the resources to support their technical education and career development. For more information visit www.techforce.org.
About Arkansas Trucking Association
The Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) pursues its mission to advance the trucking industry’s image, efficiency, competitiveness and profitability through a comprehensive range of services, products and member benefits designed to help members compete and succeed. Members range from firms with 5 or fewer trucks to some of the nation’s largest freight and logistics companies. The ATA promotes the health of the Arkansas trucking industry on issues that have a direct impact on member companies and both state and national economies. The Association is owned and governed by more than 300 trucking companies and important industry suppliers.
Living the Dream: Journey of My Technical Career Magazine
As part of FutureTech Success, TechForce Foundation’s campaign to fuel the pipeline of future technicians, TechForce has published a digital magazine featuring stories from individuals who have “Been There, Done That” and found success in the transportation industry.
Long gone are the days of the “grease monkey” technician. Today’s technicians have to be well-versed in the most cutting edge technology out there, and a career as a technician is a great launch point into almost every aspect of the industry. Transportation technicians are not in a one track career. The opportunities are endless—but don’t just take our word for it. Read real-life stories, straight from the individuals who have had the chance to experience the rapidly changing and innovative world of transportation tech, to see the vast array of titles, responsibilities, and pathways available in the field.
Visit the FutureTech Success microsite to read Living The Dream: Journey of My Technical Career, updated periodically with new stories to provide fresh perspectives and information to individuals looking to pursue careers in transportation tech. Maybe you’ll see a friend, a child, a student, or even yourself in one of these stories.
For more information visit:
https://www.flipsnack.com/9EC969EBDC9/living-the-dream-journey-of-my-technical-career.html
No Venture Too Big In Snap-on’s Dedication to Future Technicians
Snap-on has a very specific vision in their backing of TechForce Foundation and our mission to encourage and support students pursuing post-secondary technical education and careers in the transportation industry. Opting to target donations toward Strong Start grants over traditional tuition scholarships shows a focus on the personal well-being of the techs themselves. Strong Start grants aid students in relocation, an often necessary and pricy step in pursuing Advanced Training programs. These grants may cover moving costs and first thirty days startup expenses such as utilities, security deposits, and first month’s rent and food. The cash grants supported by Snap-on provide an all-encompassing, unwavering support system for the budding technician, and show a true commitment to the bright future of the industry as a whole.
In addition to their backing of Strong Start grants, Snap-on has also earmarked money to be used in support of the FutureTech Successsm campaign. This campaign, set to launch in May 2017, is TechForce Foundation’s surge to fuel the future pipeline of transportation technicians. Snap-on’s partnership with TechForce in fueling this campaign will help us reach out to young individuals interested in pursuing technical careers, aiding students in discovering an exciting future and providing the industry with much-needed talent. Snap-on recognizes the massive shortage of skilled technicians necessary to keep up with the fast-growing and technologically innovative transportation industry, and is taking steps to help remedy the deficit.
Snap-on has also very generously donated tools to TechForce for fundraising purposes. Anyone who has ever been in charge of a fundraising auction before knows just how important it is to have the highest quality, most well regarded items available on the block in order to meet a monetary goal. The largest single supplier of the tools utilized in nearly every aspect of the transportation industry donating their very best for our auction gave us a massive leg up in meeting our goals. We greatly appreciate the generosity displayed by Snap-on in support of TechForce and student technicians everywhere.
TechForce not only enjoys the support of Snap-on through their donations, it is also honored to have Greg Rintala on its Board of Directors. In addition to his position on the TechForce Foundation board, Mr. Rintala serves on the boards of SkillsUSA, ACTE, and I-CAR. His commitment to bettering both technicians and the industry as a whole has led him to work with a variety of organizations, encouraging a sense of unity in purpose. Each organization has unique strengths and goals, and Mr. Rintala sees this as an opportunity for such organizations to work together to help technicians more effectively and in a larger variety of ways.
TechForce and Snap-on look forward to the many ways their synergy will assist future techs in achieving their education and career goals.
TechForce Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that encourages and supports students pursuing post-secondary technical education and careers in the transportation industry. The Foundation distributes more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors. For more information visit
www. techforce.org
Snap-on is a $2.5 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, offering products and services that are available around the world. Snap-on Industrial has one goal: to enhance productivity with products, services, and capabilities for Aerospace, Education, Energy and Natural Resources, Military, Defense & Government, Maintenance, and Manufacturing and Assembly.
TechForce Foundation Unveils Microsite for FutureTech Success Initiative
TechForce is excited to announce the launch of its latest creation in the drive to fuel the future pipeline of transportation technicians, the FutureTech Success microsite.
FutureTech Success is a multi-faceted, industry-wide campaign purposed with building the future transportation technician workforce by repositioning the image of the profession, giving middle- and high-school students, parents and influencers the tools to recognize and foster tactile intelligence, and providing scholarships and grants to help students complete their technical education.
The FutureTech Success microsite is the embodiment of this mission. Here you’ll be able to find engaging and informational resources for every stage of exploration; from discovering one’s own natural tactile intelligence, to finding the programs and scholarships essential to fostering those talents. While some features on the site, such as downloadable tactile challenges, are still under construction, there is more than enough to get you started exploring the exciting opportunities available for your tactile learner in the transportation industry.
Here are just a few:
Is Your Child “Wired For Success?” Are they an audio, visual, or tactile learner? Find out by taking a Learning Styles Challenge. You can share their results to get connected with a community who thinks just like they do.
Test Drive A Career as a technician and learn about the opportunities that are a perfect fit for your child’s smarts. Hear stories from seasoned professionals, industry newcomers, and current tech students on why they chose to pursue the transportation industry.
Myth Busters are available for those who need to see facts and figures. Here you can find information on everything from pay and career growth opportunities, to job availability and how S.T.E.M. innovations will continue to propel this exciting field into the future.
Resources provide national databases where you can search for local programs that will help your tactile learner hone in their natural talents. You’ll find schools, scholarships, events, internships, and so much more for FutureTechs in all stages of education.
This is only a sample of the array of features available for you and your FutureTech to explore on the FutureTech Success microsite. With this one-stop-shop hub, both you and your tactile learner will be able to discover their talents and the exciting future that awaits them in the innovative world of transportation tech.
Click on the link below to explore more of the FutureTech Success microsite.