WD-40® Brand and NAPA Partner with TechForce Foundation to Offer $50,000 in Scholarships to Those Pursuing a Career in the Skilled Trades
SAN DIEGO – July 17, 2024 – To bridge the skilled trades gap and empower aspiring technicians to pursue a career in the field, WD-40® Brand and NAPA are partnering with TechForce Foundation to offer $50,000 in scholarships, aimed at bolstering a new generation of trade professionals.
For decades, the skilled trades have suffered from a gap in supply and demand, leading to a significant workforce shortage. For the first time in more than ten years, tech school completions have risen. However, to meet demand over the next five years, the skilled trades must grow by 795,000 new technicians.
“The automotive industry’s future depends on the education and training of today’s students,” said Jamie Walton, executive vice president, merchandising of NAPA. “This partnership with WD-40 Brand and the TechForce Foundation ensures we bring broader visibility and accessibility to technician careers.”
WD-40 Brand and NAPA will award 40 scholarships over the next 12 months. Applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary automotive, collision or diesel program. To apply and learn more, students can visit techforce.org/napa-wd40brand-scholarships. As part of the partnership, NAPA will be offering WD-40® Multi-Use Product at a discounted price through September 2024.
“WD-40 Brand recognizes the critical role that the skilled trades play in driving America forward,” said Erin Bala, vice president of U.S. marketing and Americas innovation at WD-40 Company. “We are honored to join forces with NAPA in backing TechForce Foundation and its crucial mission to champion students to and through their education into careers as professional technicians.”
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) that works with transportation industry leaders to inspire people to explore the technician profession, support students in obtaining the technical education needed to be workforce-ready, and connect students to resources, mentors and employers to thrive in their careers.
“This cross-sector partnership demonstrates the value of industry coming together to demonstrate its commitment to powering the next generation of technicians,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “By combining their support, WD-40 Brand and NAPA will unlock a multiplier effect that will allow our organizations to inspire and support more students together than we ever could apart. TechForce looks forward to collaborating with our partners to connect even more students to technician careers in an industry that urgently needs their skills.”
About WD-40 Brand
WD-40® Brand offers more than 30 innovative, quality products to get the Job Done Right®. The same spirit of innovation for solving the toughest challenges, which led to the creation of the original WD-40® Multi-Use Product, also drove the brand to grow its family of offerings to include the WD-40 Specialist® line – best-in-class products that deliver superior performance for industry professionals. WD-40 Specialist products provide specialized, heavy-duty solutions in factories, facilities, automotive garages, and on farms around the world. The line consists of lubricants, penetrants, greases, cleaners and degreasers, and rust-management solutions scientifically designed for the world’s toughest jobs. For additional information about WD-40® Brand products, please visit wd40.com.
About NAPA
Through nearly 6,000 auto parts stores and over 16,000 auto care and collision centers in the U.S., NAPA has America’s largest network of parts and care. The NAPA Network is supported by nationwide distribution centers with approximately 800,000 available parts, accessories and supplies. Widely recognized for quality parts, rapid availability and knowledgeable people, NAPA Auto Parts stores serve automotive service professionals, do-it-yourselfers and everyday drivers with quality parts, accessories and supplies to keep cars, trucks and equipment performing safely and efficiently. For more information, visit www.napaonline.com.
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 $4 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 is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.
