Industry Embraces TechForce Foundation Amid Surge in Public Support for Hands-On Technician Careers

October 30, 2023 — PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to championing the technician workforce, has seen a significant uptick in public support for high-tech, hands-on mobility technician careers. Forward-thinking businesses are seizing on this opportunity and partnering with TechForce to supercharge the pipeline of future technicians.

“For 15 years, championing technician careers was an uphill battle. The public shied away from hands-on careers in favor of the college-for-all mentality and the industry complained, but did little to fix it. There is still much work to be done, but we’re seeing a shift,” reports Jennifer Maher, Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “Everyone from parents to teachers and students themselves have opened their eyes to the life and career opportunities available to technicians, and TechForce has been a large part of that shift.”

This year, TechForce Foundation will award over $2.3 Million in scholarships and grants to support this growing interest, with nearly $1,000,000 already awarded to students in the first half of 2023. A huge lift came this year when Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Dealers across the regions of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix donated $1.1 million to support students pursuing their technical education in auto and diesel. “A grant of that magnitude is a real boost and vote of confidence in the work we’re doing,” says Maher.

“The phones are ringing,” says Angie Babin, Chair of the TechForce Foundation Board of Directors, “as more companies and foundations embrace our charitable mission.”

Companies have joined or increased their direct support for TechForce by hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2023, including enhanced partnerships with AutoZone, BASF, Bridgestone Americas, CarMax, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, LKQ, NAPA, and Snap-on Industrial. Additionally, the nonprofit trade association CAWA – Representing the Automotive Parts Industry – named TechForce as one of its charities of choice, pledging to engage its members across California, Nevada and Arizona as donors and volunteers.

“Each one of these companies has either significantly increased its commitment to TechForce Foundation this year, or entered into a new partnership to support our mission. The momentum and growth shows us that the pendulum is swinging,” says Babin. “Society is realizing we need a skilled workforce, and that employers and brands that rely on techs need to take action and invest in solutions like TechForce. We’re thrilled to see this uptick in energy.”

TechForce Foundation has invested heavily in building a first-of-its-kind online community, TechForce™, where tech students, working techs, instructors, brands and employers can connect. TechForce™ ensures aspiring technicians can find all the free resources to successfully navigate their technical education and job placement pathway. It’s absolutely free to join at techforce.org, where students can find tech schools, scholarships, apprenticeships and jobs and also tap free tickets to events, watch online training, participate in trivia and contests, and more. More than 27,000 users have joined TechForce™ since launch, accessing all that it has to offer for free, thanks to support from its individual, business and foundation donors.

TechForce continues to innovate, launching its Grab the Wheel campaign this past August to inspire the next generation of technicians. The ambitious campaign seeks to welcome one million new entry-level technicians over the next five years to meet a pressing workforce demand. The organization is also partnering with the industry to recognize the technicians and students who are shaping its future, with the largest Techs Rock Awards to date.

TechForce is supported by charitable contributions from the automotive, collision and diesel sectors, including OEMs, aftermarket, retailers, private shops, national MSOs and the rental sector, as well as other sectors, including aviation, CNC machining, marine, motorcycle, motorsports and welding.

Small businesses under $10M annual revenue can partner with TechForce Foundation for just $89 a month, including the right to post jobs and apprenticeships in TechForce™. Small brands can opt-in to a Professional Membership at just $499 a year. Named scholarship funds can be opened for as little as $10,000 and the organization has a team dedicated to crafting win/win strategic alliances with larger companies.

Donate at techforce.org or learn about more ways to support TechForce Foundation by visiting https://techforce.org/ways-to-help/.

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 $2.3 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 committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

Links:

• TechForce Foundation logo: https://adobe.ly/3Diapjw
• TechForce™ network: https://techforce.org/
• Get involved with TechForce: https://techforce.org/ways-to-help/

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