CAWA has entered into a strategic partnership with the TechForce Foundation to bolster the development and support of America’s skilled technician workforce. The collaboration between the two non-profit organizations aims to elevate the technician profession among younger demographics, foster connections between industry volunteers and prospective technicians and highlight the critical role technicians play in the nation’s mobility, both organizations said.

Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, emphasized the need for skilled automotive technicians. “For many students, traditional four-year universities may not be the right fit. They might be more inclined toward a technical career. The automotive technician profession nowadays offers competitive wages, flexibility in terms of location, and the chance to be a part of the rapidly advancing technology-driven mobility sector,” Maher said.

Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of CAWA, representing the automotive parts industry, said that the association’s Board of Directors unanimously backs this new collaboration.

Key tenets of the partnership include:

• Promoting and supporting the technician workforce via the CAWA website.
• Encouraging CAWA members to support the TechForce Foundation’s charitable mission financially, branding them as “TechForce Champions.”
• Inviting CAWA members to serve as “TechForce Ambassadors,” advocating the significance of a thriving technician workforce through various platforms.
• Urging CAWA members to put forward technicians who can share their success stories, potentially inspiring the younger generation and their mentors, including parents and school counselors, to consider technician careers.
• Offering CAWA members access to TechForce’s resource center to promote technician careers.
• Fostering relationships between both organizations and technical high schools, as well as post-secondary programs.