LKQ Corp., parent company of NTP-STAG, has entered into a partnership with Phoenix-based TechForce Foundation, which supports students pursuing a technical education and pursuing a career as a professional transportation technician. TechForce supports more techs joining the profession, whether it’s repairing and maintaining RVs, boats or school busses and semi-trailers.
Currently there are five jobs available for every student graduating tech school, TechForce said. LKQ has donated $50,000 through the LKQ Community Foundation to support TechForce Foundation’s charitable programs. These programs include a nationwide public service campaign recognizing the value and importance of skilled technicians, its FutureTechs Rock and Techs Rock awards, and TechForce, the first of its kind, gamified online community of aspiring and working technicians to find tech schools, scholarships, events, apprenticeships and jobs.
“LKQ knows the importance of skilled technicians; they are the backbone of the automotive and collision industries,” says Justin Jude, president of LKQ North America-Wholesale. “Part of LKQ’s mission is to build strong partnerships in the communities in which we operate, and we are proud to partner with TechForce, a leading nonprofit committed to helping young people discover and successfully pursue the technician career.”
Outside its work supplying parts to the RV and marine industries, LKQ Corp. is the largest provider of alternative vehicle collision replacement products.
