Media Contacts: Charles Ayers, CCAR
cea@ccar-greenlink.org
847-749-4375
Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation
jmaher@techforce.org
623-445-0933
CCAR joins TechForce to inspire the next generation of automotive technicians
Palatine, IL — September 20, 2018 — The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) is pleased to announce its support for the nonprofit TechForce Foundation®’s new national initiative, FutureTech Success®, an effort aimed at fueling the pipeline of tomorrow’s workforce of technicians.
FutureTech Success is an industry-wide, multi-faceted initiative to help inspire the next generation of auto, diesel and collision technicians through three strategic components:
- Repositioning the outdated, grease-monkey stigma of the profession. Through storytelling and interactions, convert parents and influencers of 13-18 year olds from naysayers to champions of the profession by delivering the message that being a transportation technician is a successful, in-demand and valued career path;
- Reinvigorating hands-on experiences. Direct funding, resources and employee engagement back into high school auto shops and afterschool programs nationwide, and make tactile challenges available for young men and women to, once again, interact with auto and diesel technology so they may experience the rewards of working and creating with their hands;
- Collective Voice. Harnessing the resources and best practices of the industry, package and present in a way future techs and their parents can find these tools, and working together, as an industry, to deliver a unified public message that America respect and values technicians, and that they’re needed to keep America rolling.
CCAR joins a myriad of other association partners supporting TechForce and its FutureTech Success campaign including, SkillsUSA, Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), American Trucking Association’s Training Managers Council (TMC), Auto Care Association, Women in Auto Care, American Rental Association (ARA), ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Additionally, TechForce’s FutureTech Success campaign enjoys financial support from its ‘early adopter’ corporate supporters, each a visionary in their willingness to invest in building the infrastructure and assets for the initiative. These companies include Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Bridgestone, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Interstate Batteries, Manheim, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan North America, Penske Truck Leasing, Shell Lubricants, Snap-on, Toyota USA Foundation, Valvoline, WD-40 and Universal Technical Institute.
“It’s wonderful to have CCAR’s collaboration,” shares Jennifer Maher, Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “It will take everyone in industry working together to combat the outdated, grease monkey stigma that still derails too many young people from considering the profession. With the rapid advancements in automotive technology, cars are now computers on wheels and require highly trained, skilled technicians. It’s a ‘new collar career’ that has strong demand and very rewarding opportunities.”
In supporting FutureTech Success, CCAR will help distribute public service ads, engage in social media conversations about the opportunities available in the career, identify outstanding technicians and help to tell their stories through video interviews, and assist in uniting the collective voice of its membership around the need and respect for qualified, professional technicians.
CCAR, also a non-profit organization, enjoys a singular focus on the automotive industry and its needs for safety and hazardous material compliance and training. Founded in 1994 with grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CCAR is also one of the original OSHA Alliance partners and is the only OSHA Alliance partner focused on providing safety best practice information to the automotive collision and repair industries. CCAR has twice been recognized by the ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) with their “National Excellence in Training” award and was chosen by the North American Hazmat Action Committee (NAAHAC) to develop hazardous material handling training courses (i.e. HazmatU).
About TechForce Foundation:
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce awards more than $2 million annually in scholarships and grants to students with financial need, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors. TechForce is also spearheading FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people in developing their careers as future vehicle technicians.
For more information, visit www.techforce.org or follow us on Facebook @ techforce.org.
About CCAR:
Established in 1994, the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair is a not-for-profit organization that works – internationally in scope – with the automotive industry, the insurance industry, OEM’s, career and technical schools, collision and automotive repair shops, governments, municipalities and other organizations to provide best practice information and training.
To learn more about CCAR and its programs, please visit http://www.ccar-greenlink.org.
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