SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — TechForce is accepting nominations through Nov. 4 for its fourth annual Techs Rock Awards, which honor technicians for "outstanding contributions as role models in their shops and communities."
The nonprofit TechForce Foundation created the "prestigious award to honor professional technicians who mentor and inspire the next generation of techs, bring excellence to their workplaces and communities, and demonstrate passion and commitment to the profession."
More than $17,500 in prizes will be awarded to the 2022 winners.
Nominated technicians will be considered for one of five categories, including Pay it Forward, Rookie of the Year, Die Hard Tech, Outstanding Mentor and Barrier Buster.
Nominations can be made through 8 p.m. EST Nov. 4 at TechForce.org/TechsRock.
Each category winner, picked by a panel of judges, will receive prizes will receive prizes valued at more than $1,700 from TechForce partners including Ford Motor Co., AutoZone, CRC Industries, Snap-on Industrial, Advance Auto Parts, WD-40 Company and Cengage.
A grand prize winner, chosen by popular vote, will receive additional prizes valued at more than $8,500 from Advance Auto Parts, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Snap-on Industrial, WD-40 Company and AutoZone.
The 2022 judges panel is made of industry experts: Emily Reeves, Flying Sparks Garage; Charles Sanville, The Humble Mechanic; Bogi Lateiner, Bogi's Garage; Pete Meier, Motor Age Magazine; and Julia Landauer, Julia Landauer Racing.
Carmax technician Donald Ranquist, the 2021 grand prize winner, said about winning: "I don't usually brag about myself… This is really exciting. Thank you! Getting a trip to [the 2022 STX Supplier & Training Expo in Orlando] is a huge opportunity… The training that comes with it, being able to take that back to my team… and the different tools and items… have helped (me) get (my) jobs done."
The TechForce Foundation will release a 2022 update to its Technician Supply & Demand Report, addressing the ongoing technician shortage, at the upcoming AAPEX show.
"Recognition programs like the Techs Rock Awards help address that shortage," TechForce said.
"These programs are vital not only to retaining technicians but to repositioning the public's perception of technician jobs as the high-tech, rewarding, new-collar careers that they are."
The awards are part of TechForce's workforce development campaign, designed to inspire and support tomorrow's technicians.
Other initiatives include TechForce.org, a social network designed and "gamified" for professional technicians and students to connect with each other, employers and schools. The transportation community is supporting it with content and using it to learn, connect, find events, and explore job opportunities while competing for prizes and leaderboard status, TechForce said.
