Under The Hood | March 2021

Join the first ever peer network exclusively for future and working technicians

TechForce Foundation has launched the world’s first and only peer network 100% dedicated to future and working transportation technicians! Join to connect with other students, educators and working techs, compete in daily trivia and other fun challenges, and find events, trainings, scholarships and more. Learn more about TechForce’s peer network today>>

Coming soon: 2021 FutureTechs^TM Rock Awards

Our annual competition recognizing outstanding transportation technician students kicks off next week! Over $13,000 in prizes will be awarded to 10 exceptional students in the 2021 FutureTechs Rock Awards. Nominations open April 6. Learn more here>>

Thank you to Shell Pennzoil for lining up shout-out from Vaughn Gittin, Jr.

A special thank you to Shell Pennzoil for helping line up this great introduction to TechForce’s peer network from professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin, Jr! Watch and share the shout-out here>>

SkillsUSA champion finds rewarding career restoring high-end cars

From a young age, Ben Falconer enjoyed all things automotive. His passion was born while working with his father on small engines in their home garage, and eventually led him to back to back “best in the nation” awards for Automotive Refinishing at the 2015 and 2016 SkillsUSA national competitions. Today you can find him working to restore Ferraris, Maseratis, Alfa Romeos and Porshes. Read Ben’s inspiring story here>>

Hear what people are saying about TechForce’s peer network

Students, instructors and working technicians love TechForce’s peer network. Here’s what some had to say:

“It’s a great way to connect students with the industry…” “Engaging, interactive and a great learning resource all in one…” “Really like the gamification…” “Gave you information you didn’t know you needed…”

Find out what the buzz is about! Join TechForce today>>

Longtime TechForce staff member and visionary Greg Settle to retire

Long-time TechForce staff member Greg Settle will officially retire on March 31, 2021. Greg joined TechForce in 2014, helping to expand our mission to tackle the technician shortage by co-founding the FutureTech Success initiative and serving as much of the brains behind the new TechForce’s peer network. Hats off and our deepest thanks to Greg and all his years of service to TechForce.

How Jessi Combs’s legacy is still inspiring women to take up automotive trades

Jessi Combs made a career of breaking barriers in automotive trades and empowering other women to do the same. Although the world lost Jessi Combs in 2019, the women she inspired are carrying her legacy forward. Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month by learning more about the women technicians breaking the garage’s glass ceiling>>

TechForce welcomes Wrench Nation Car Talk Radio Show and Podcast as a Media Partner in the campaign to build the next generation of transportation technicians. Learn more about Wrench Nation here>>

TechForce welcomes NCAT as an Association Partner

TechForce Foundation welcomes the National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) as an Association Partner in the workforce development campaign! Learn more about NCAT here>>

Discover free training, e-learning and more to jump start your technician career

Level up your skills with training from transportation industry leaders. Join TechForce’s peer network to access simulations and short, easy to digest tutorials to help you stay on top of advancing vehicle technology. Log in or create your profile and select “Training” to get started>>

Closing 4/15 – Diesel technician scholarships from American Trucking Associations

ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and the Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC) are proud to offer many scholarships to support future fleet maintenance technicians and supervisors. Click here to learn more and apply>>

Closing 4/30 – Garage Gurus’ scholarship for high school and post-secondary students

Garage Gurus’ annual scholarship is accepting applications now through April 30, 2021. The scholarship is open to high school and post-secondary students pursuing an automotive technician education. Twelve students will be awarded up to $2,500 each to help support their educational expenses! Learn more and apply here>>

Find and submit events through TechForce’s peer network

Join TechForce’s peer network to discover upcoming webinars, races, conferences and more transportation related events. You can even help other members discover great events by submitting them to the TechForce! Log in or create your profile at JoinTechForce.org and select “Events” from the main menu to get started>>

Thank you to all TechForce Foundation partners!

Associations: Automotive Communications Council, Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA), American Rental Association (ARA), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), ASE Education Foundation, ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), Auto Care Association/Women in Auto Care, Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR), Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT), SkillsUSA and American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)

Celebrities: Lyn St. James (IndyCar), Bogi Lateiner (Girl Gang Garage), Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing – NHRA) and Julia Landauer (Julia Landauer Racing – NASCAR)

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