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WD-40, NAPA and TechForce offering $50K in scholarships

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Education
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WD-40 and NAPA have partnered with TechForce Foundation to offer $50,000 in scholarships aimed at bolstering a new generation of trade professionals.

The number of tech school graduates has recently risen for the first time in more than 10 years, according to a news release from the companies. TechForce Foundation’s 2023 Technician Supply & Demand report states that collision technician completions rose more than 5% in 2022 with an increase of 238 graduates.

However, TechForce also found that 795,000 new automotive, diesel, collision repair, aviation, and avionics technicians are needed to meet demand through 2027. That includes 110,000 collision techs.

“The automotive industry’s future depends on the education and training of today’s students,” said Jamie Walton, NAPA merchandising executive vice president, in a news release. “This partnership with WD-40 Brand and the TechForce Foundation ensures we bring broader visibility and accessibility to technician careers.”

Forty scholarships will be awarded over the next 12 months.

Applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary automotive, collision, or diesel program.

“WD-40 Brand recognizes the critical role that the skilled trades play in driving America forward,” said Erin Bala, WD-40 Co. U.S. marketing and Americas innovation vice president, in the release. “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.”

As part of the partnership, NAPA will also provide discounted multi-use WD-40 through September.

“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, TechForce Foundation CEO, in the release. “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.”

TechForce is also accepting donations to fund scholarships. Its website states that roughly 7,000 scholarship applications are received from financially-disadvantaged students each year but funds can only be provided to 1 out of every 4 students.

Images

Featured image credit: Contra Costa College (CCC) Collision Engineering Program (CEP) student Cinthia Pool works during an I-CAR welding course. (Credit: Contra Costa College)

More information

Texas surveys find disconnect between ‘technician shortage’ and education pipeline

WIN scholarship campaign raises nearly $10K in additional funds to support collision repair techs

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