SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The TechForce Foundation, which works to encourage students and young adults to pursue a career in the automotive service industry, has developed a mobile app for its online TechForce Network.
The TechForce Network is an online social community and career hub that connects GenZ and millennials to help them find information, explore an automotive career, find tech schools, apply for scholarships, search apprenticeships and jobs and learn about the industry.
The cloud-based social network, a proprietary platform bundled into the TechForce website, launched last year and the mobile app was developed recently for iOS and Android devices.
"We think this is the game-changing way to engage aspiring techs and working techs, because everybody does everything through social. So that's why we built it," Mike Pressendo, chief marketing and strategy officer for TechForce, told Tire Business.
There are about 15,000 people on network so far and it has been growing by about a 1,000 members a month, he said.
The network is open to students as young as 13, instructors and school staff, working techs, industry professionals and enthusiasts/hobbyists.
"We learned from techs and recruiters that techs are not on Facebook or LinkedIn. … So we hired GenZ people (to design it), so this is by and for the next GenZ techs," Pressendo said, adding, "It's like Instagram for techs."
But all generations have joined the network, whether to learn about an auto service career or to share knowledge and opportunities for jobs.
The site is gamified to encourage younger people to keep coming back.
"This is designed to keep them engaged, but it's actually designed for all levels. You create a profile and you earn points," Pressendo said.
Members can earn points to win prizes, such as gift cards. Points can be earned for answering trivia questions every day, watching videos, posting industry-related events, attending events, etc.
Points can be accrued individually, by school and by employer, with an online leader board to publicize everyone's progress.
The site also posts free tickets for students to attend industry events, such car races or the recent AAPEX in Las Vegas.
"The word gets out that there is free cool stuff and experiences. I took 45 kids to the Long Beach Grand Prix with Jimmy Johnson," Pressendo said. "They got to hang with his pit crew, interview his chief, be right in there with the engines and stuff and then we take pictures. …
"We try to do things to facilitate and encourage that career. There are literally hundreds of events around the country. You can search and find your location, type, etc."
The site, which is supported by TechForce donors and sponsors, does not have advertising, Pressendo said.
However, there are safety protocols, he added, so people over age 17 can't interact with teenagers. On their profile, members can limit who can interact with them on the site and which companies can contact them.
Some corporate supporters provide short complimentary training or informational videos on the site. They may also post jobs and internship opportunities.
TechForce has created a system to match potential job applicants with relevant job postings through a series of questions about job requirements, location, hours, pay scale and other preferences.
"Our idea is the full ecosystem," Pressendo said, where professional automotive technicians can be mentors, shop owners can connect with potential employees or schools, and students can learn more details about a career in the industry.
