Applications for company’s annual scholarships now being accepted
TOTOWA, NJ –- Empire Auto Parts, a leading distributor of high-quality aftermarket collision parts for automotive repair shops, announced the continuation of the Empire Auto Parts Scholarship Fund for its second year. The fund awards two scholarships to two students enrolled in a post-secondary school collision repair program in an underserved community within Empire’s geographic market. The scholarship fund was created as part of Empire’s recognition of Black History Month and is administered by the TechForce Foundation.
Last year, the inaugural recipients of the Empire scholarships were Jamaal Medford of New York and Jesse Myles of Tennessee, each of whom continues to thrive in their respective programs.
The collision industry continues to be challenged by technician shortages, as well as the dramatic increases in the complexity of the vehicles that they work on. TechForce finds the industry needs over 100,000 new collision technicians by 2028. This creates a particularly difficult dynamic to navigate in a competitive labor marketplace, and TechForce is helping to lead the charge with creative solutions.
“Empire Auto Parts is excited to sustain its support of this critical initiative to bring more young people into this compelling industry,” said Empire’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Siebert. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with TechForce on additional ways to develop talented individuals who will drive the industry forward.”
The Empire Auto Parts Scholarship Fund awards two $2,000 scholarships. In total, TechForce Foundation will award $6 million in scholarships in 2025. To learn more about TechForce Foundation and apply for scholarship opportunities, visit https://techforce.org/our-work/#scholarships.
The scholarships are part of a larger, multi-year financial commitment that Empire has made in support of TechForce Foundation’s mission to champion students to and through their education into technical careers, including developing the next wave of collision industry professionals. In addition to these two scholarships, Empire also donates parts to be used in schools that participate in TechForce’s skill development programs.
About Empire Auto Parts
Empire Auto Parts is a leader in the aftermarket auto parts industry, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. With over 50,000 SKUs in inventory across 47 locations, Empire offers broad part availability, top-quality brands, and fast, reliable deliveries processed by friendly and knowledgeable staff members. With its own proprietary technology and integrations with third party software estimation and procurement systems, Empire provides a better buying experience for collision repair shops.
About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $6 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources for the benefit of aspiring technicians.
