Nominate a professional technician for the 2023 Techs Rock Awards! Tell us about your colleagues, mentors, friends, and even yourself for a chance to win national recognition and a share of $18,500 in prizes at TechForce.org/TechsRock
Austin has always been hands-on. “In high school, I found a group of friends that enjoyed cars… I even got to the point where my parents let me [work on theirs].” Thanks to a TechForce scholarship, Austin is now studying advanced technical training. “I can’t wait for the future to come!” Read Austin’s full interview here>>
Did you know an emergency expense as low as $450 can derail a student’s education? That’s why TechForce works directly with schools to provide emergency “Life Happens” grants when students need them most. Your support makes our mission possible. Donate to keep a student in school.
TechForce is awarding $2.3 million in scholarships & grants in 2023 to help technician students cover the cost of attendance, emergencies, and more. Sign in & submit your general application!
Awards are made each month. Current opportunities include:
Ford Fund Auto Tech Scholarship ($5,000 ea /$2,500 per semester)
The official newsletter of TechForce Foundation® , made possible by donors like you who believe students should find an education and career that fits.
April 2023
Hello,
Short on time? Here are two quick ways to connect now:
Join TechForce to access scholarships, events, training, and more resources for free. Invite your friends to join with you, too!
Donate. Help us champion technical education and careers so that communities thrive.
Thanks to a $1 million donation from Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford dealers, TechForce will nearly double scholarships awarded in 2023 to financially-struggling students who dream of becoming auto/diesel technicians! Read the full announcement>>
Nominate professional technicians you know for the 2023 Techs Rock Awards from May 15-26 at TechForce.org/TechsRock. Five technicians will be recognized with $15,000+ in prizes and industry-wide recognition, with one winning a trip to STX 2024 in Orlando, FL!
If you’ve been following TechForce, you know Jinelee. In just three years Jinelee went from Googling how to fix her own truck to learning from professionals and is now a professional technician herself! Read Jinelee’s story>>
Your charitable donation to TechForce Foundation will be matched, dollar for dollar, through Thursday, April 27. Your donation helps the thousands of students like Jinelee that TechForce supports each year. Don’t miss out—Donate to double your impact now>>
TechForce is awarding $2.3 million in scholarships & grants in 2023 to help technician students cover the cost of attendance, emergencies, and more. Sign in & submit your general application!
Awards are made each month. Current opportunities include:
We’re committed to helping you find every scholarship you can. Visit the TechForce scholarship portal to find ones from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, STEAM Sports Foundation, and more organizations throughout the industry.
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!
Congratulations to 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner Taeler Cloverdale! Meet all 10 students recognized in this year’s Awards at TechForce.org/FTR23Winners.
Stay tuned for the 2023 Techs Rock Awards, celebrating professional technicians. Nominations open May 15 at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
From windshield wipers and road trips to the freedom to drive, women continue to make countless contributions to how we all get around. TechForce celebrates women in transportation history this month, and every other month this year. Join the conversation with #womentechsrock.
Ford ASSET technician student Jeffrey Johnson was selected from hundreds of TechForce scholarship applicants to receive the Ultimate Beginner Toolbox, built with $2,500 in tools by The Humble Mechanic himself! Watch the build here.
TechForce spoke with Monica, a Heavy Duty Technician who works on everything from big trucks to tractors and heavy equipment. Listen to her #WomenTechsRock interview to hear what Monica loves about being a technician.
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>>
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.
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!
TechForce needs your help to decide which of our 10 Category Winners will take home the 2023 FutureTechs Rock Awards Grand Prize! Vote by Friday 3/3 at TechForce.org/Vote
Meet TechForce scholarship recipient Gideon. Gideon and his family crossed an ocean so that he could pursue his education in the US! We had the chance to hear from Gideon, who has plans for a career in the future of mobility. Read Gideon’s story here.
Economic, social and other barriers mean not everyone has the same opportunity to become a tech. TechForce’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives work to remove these barriers, with support from our partners New Ford Tech, General Motors, Snap-on Industrial, Nissan and INFINITI. Learn more about our first DEI initiative here.
A few years ago Melesa Starks wasn’t certain what she wanted to do, but she knew she needed a career change. After shadowing a few friends Melesa decided to give automotive a try and hasn’t looked back. Watch her #WomenTechsRock interview to hear how Melesa found success as a tech!
Rad Dan Burkett, TechForce and GEARWRENCH teamed up to award 5 instructors with $2,000 in tools each! If you haven’t joined TechForce yet, what are you waiting for? Find our next giveaway with a free TechForce account>>
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>>
Auto technician and first-ever TechForce Humble Mechanic Scholarship recipient I’Rule sat down with Motor Age to talk cars, meeting the Humble Mechanic and what he’s been up to since the scholarship. Read I’Rule’s Motor Age interview.
Check out TechForce training, trivia and more to earn points and climb the Leaderboard. The three students with the most points on March 27 will win a CRC Industries parts washer with a year’s worth of supplies! Sign up to start earning points now>>
Additions expand TechForce’s impact on students’ technical education and career success with added collision repair, reconditioning, automotive service, fleet maintenance and business development expertise. Read the announcement>>
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!
Inside this newsletter: FutureTechs Rock nominations, events, scholarships and an interview with a diesel technician at the South Pole.
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!
TechForce is seeking the best transportation technician students to award over $12,500 in prizes and scholarships from partners including Nissan, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Cengage Learning, CRC Industries, New Ford Tech, Mighty Auto Parts, Snap-on Industrial, Volvo and WD-40 Company! Are you a student, or do you know one? Enter a nomination today at TechForce.org/FutureTechsRock. The deadline to nominate is Friday, Feb. 10 at 5PM PT/ 8PM ET.
Sunstate Equipment technician Conor jumpstarted his civilian career thanks to TechForce’s donor-supported Veterans At Work: Military Transition Fund. He says, “TechForce is an unbelievable free resource and it has been a big help throughout my entire process from school to career.” Read Conor’s technician journey here.
Meet heavy diesel technician Golden Muller, Lead Power Plant Mechanic at the National Science Foundation’s Palmer Station in Antarctica! Hear how her technician career allowed Golden to become one of only 256 women to ever winter at the South Pole in her #WomenTechsRock interview, a part of TechForce’s ongoing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
This past weekend TechForce hosted technician students and instructors at the Arizona Concours d’Elegance. Guests had the opportunity to network with classic car collectors and learn about technicians’ role in the restoration and collector car industries. Thank you to our donors who made this experience possible! To find future events like this, create your free TechForce account today>>
As a charitable organization, TechForce Foundation relies on donors like you to make the programs you read about here possible. Your gift becomes the scholarships, grants, experiences, and resources we use to support students. Donate today.
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>>
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.
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.
Other Stories
Nissan & INFINITI students, we have scholarships for you!
Students in Nissan and INFINITI training programs across the US are encouraged to apply for TechForce scholarships. Thanks to these companies’ support, TechForce has scholarships set aside just for students in their programs. Indicate that you are a Nissan or INFINITI student when applying for a TechForce Accelerate Tuition scholarship to get started. Apply for TechForce scholarships here>>
TechForce partners Ford Motor Company Fund and Enterprise Holdings Foundation have announced a strategic partnership to support the growth of the Collision Engineering Program (CEP). The CEP is also partnering with TechForce to administer the Ford Fund scholarships for students enrolled in the Program. Read the full announcement here.
Congratulations to the winners of TechForce’s Winter Leaderboard Challenge. One student, instructor and school each received AutoZone gift cards up to $1,000 for having the highest engagement in Network activities during the winter 2022-2023 season. The next Leaderboard Challenge starts February 6. Don’t miss out. Log in or join TechForce to participate and get active in building technical careers!
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 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!
Thank you for your support this past year. 2022 saw the continued growth of the TechForce career network, the launch of the TechForce App and our mobile STEM Career Center, and our 40,000th scholarship awarded! Learn more in TechForce’s 2022 holiday greeting.
Five instructors will each take home $2,000 to spend on GEARWRENCH Tools of their choice! It takes less than five minutes to enter. Log in or join TechForce to enter the contest before it ends on Jan. 20, 2023.
Luke’s interest in aviation maintenance was sparked by a field trip to a local airport. Read his story for insight into the impact of TechForce’s student support.
Daniel McCrum of CarMax in Gulfport, MS is the 2022 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner! Daniel’s achievements are proof that a technical education and career are viable pathways to success. Learn more about the 2022 Techs Rock Awards at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
Over 300 6-12th graders got an inside look at high-tech hands-on careers with TechForce’s STEM Career Center & partner exhibits at X-STEM Phoenix. Learn more.
TechForce is a 501(c)(3) charity that champions technical careers so communities thrive. Your charitable gift of any size helps connect aspiring technicians to education they need to succeed! Make your tax-deductible donation now.
Only one month left until nominations open for the FutureTechs Rock Awards, honoring the best transportation technician students! View last year’s Winners and learn more about the Awards at TechForce.org/FutureTechsRock.
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>>
Join us for a backstage tour of Mecum Kissimmee in Florida on January 7th! Tickets are limited to students and instructors only. Log in or join TechForce to get your free ticket.
Don’t miss the TechForce Mobile STEM Career Center at EVIT Expo 2023 on January 28th! Join us for games and to learn more about high-tech in-demand technician careers. View event details.
Not every student needs to attend a 4-year university; a technical education and career is a viable road to success. Our #BeACollisionTech video produced in partnership with Caliber Collision is designed to educate young people about this fact. See the video here.
Student by student and industry by industry we’re a connector that changes outcomes and strengthens communities. Your car donation will help us continue this exciting and important work. Donate your vehicle to TechForce online or by calling (877) 957-2277.
November Newsletter: VOTE NOW for Techs Rock Grand Prize Winner!
Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Vote is open, our new Technician Supply & Demand Report is out and new scholarships & events are available!
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The official newsletter of TechForce Foundation®. TechForce programs and scholarships are made possible by donors like you.
Hi TechForce Foundation,
We’re heading into December in style! The Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Vote is open through Friday, our new Technician Supply & Demand Report is out, and new events, scholarships and opportunities to support future technicians are here. You’ll find this and more below in TechForce’s November newsletter.
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
Recommend a technician for our Women Techs Rock interview series
TOP STORIES – November 2022
Vote NOW for the 2022 Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winner!
Congratulations to the five technicians named as Category Winners in TechForce’s 2022 Techs Rock Awards! Each Category Winner will receive over $1,700 in prizes from TechForce partners. Now it’s up to YOU to decide which of the five will win the 2022 Grand Prize! Meet the winners and votefor your favorite by Friday at TechForce.org/Vote
Get the 2022 Technician Supply & Demand Report
TechForce’s updated Technician Supply & Demand Report makes it clear that the technician shortage is still a serious industry-wide challenge. In fact, nearly 1,000,000 new automotive, diesel, collision, and aviation technicians are needed by 2026! Get the full picture, including the number of technicians projected to enter the industry in the 2022 report. Download now!
Get the TechForce App!
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. 10th 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
Would you like to bring your students to the RM Sotheby’s Auction in Miami Saturday, Dec. 10th? 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. 8th. 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!
OTHER STORIES
Read on for some of the other exciting happenings at TechForce this month.
TechForce hosted students and made waves at the 2022 AAPEX Show with help from our partners
TechForce brought our STEM Career Center and hosted more than 50 students for an exclusive tour, lunch, and conversations with industry leaders at the 2022 AAPEX Show in Las Vegas November 1-3. A huge thank you AAPEX for hosting us, Autolite for underwriting our event expenses, and Penske Truck Leasing for hosting lunch with our students! We could not have done this event without you. We also thank WD-40 Company, Endeavor Business Media and CRC Industries for speaking with our students during their exclusive tour of the Show! Check out TechForce’s social media for more event photos.
Support students now with your year-end charitable giving!
‘Tis the season of giving! Your tax-exempt charitable gift of any size, combined with others can help us raise $750,000 by December 31st so that in the first quarter of 2023 we can:
Promote the pursuit of skilled trades to students at 400 schools
Award 250 scholarships and grants to financially disadvantaged students seeking technical training
Take 500 students to VIP experiences at premier industry events, introduce them to industry pros, and show them what’s available in a technical career
Grant 1000 students access to the TechForce career network, built exclusively for aspiring & working techs to connect with training, jobs, mentors and peers
Our supporters make the events, resources and opportunities in this newsletter possible. Become a TechForce supporter. Make your tax-deductible donation!
TechForce’s Women Techs Rock resources are now in one place
Women technicians are filling a critical workforce need and working hard to keep America moving forward. That’s why we made it easy for our community of women techs to connect with TechForce on our new Women Techs Rock page! We invite you to explore our interviews and research, answer our monthly poll question, and even share your own story to encourage other women techs like you.
Your holiday shopping supports TechForce at no cost to you with AmazonSmile
Support TechForce with your Amazon shopping 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. Just be sure to use Smile.Amazon.com instead of plain old Amazon.com!
Meet Brennen: Army Veteran and TechForce Scholarship Recipient
Brennen is an Army veteran who knows how to overcome obstacles while giving back. The John & Bernadette Heenan Veterans at Work Fund helps make it possible for Brennen to pay for her technical education and living expenses. Read Brennen’s full story and get inspired to find a TechForce scholarship of your own.
TechForce Winter Season Leaderboard Challenge happening now
Enter the TechForce Winter Season Leaderboard Challenge. The instructor, student and school with the most points at the end of the season will receive AutoZone gift certificates worth $700, $750 and $1,000, respectively!!! A big thank you to AutoZone for sponsoring this season’s prizes. The season ends January 14, 2023, so log in or join TechForce to start earning points today!
Join the great organizations below in supporting TechForce. Donate now>>
Thank you to TechForce Foundation’s top-tier corporate partners and celebrity ambassadors!
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!
TOP STORIES – October 2022
Techs Rock Awards are now open – Nominate a technician
Nominations for TechForce’s 2022 Techs Rock Awards are open through Friday, November 4th. More than $17,500 in prizes along with industry-wide recognition will be awarded to five transportation technicians. Nominate a tech now at TechForce.org/TechsRock!
2022 Technician Supply & Demand Report to be released next week
TechForce Foundation’s Supply & Demand Report is relied upon by executives, recruiters, and educators throughout the industry as the authority on the ongoing technician shortage. The highly anticipated 2022 update will be released next week from AAPEX in Las Vegas! Keep an eye on your inbox for the announcement. In the meantime, catch up on the 2021 Report for an idea of what’s to come.
Get the TechForce App!
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>>