Penske Empowers Future Technicians at SkillsUSA National Conference
This year’s conference brought together over 17,500 attendees and 6,800 student competitors in Atlanta, Georgia. Once again, Penske was there to connect, support and inspire the next generation of diesel and collision repair professionals.
Celebrating 11 Years of Partnership
Penske’s presence at NLSC wasn’t just about showcasing trucks and tools — it was about building community, creating career connections, and investing in the future of skilled trades. Students participated in interactive exhibits, experienced live diagnostics and tech demonstrations and engaged directly with Penske recruiters, technicians and mentors.
As Andy Boff, director of collision repair and maintenance initiatives at Penske, said:
“These partnerships are crucial — they show that skilled trades are alive and well, and they give students a chance to get excited about what their future could look like. It’s also a great way for us to hear directly from students about what they want from employers and their careers. SkillsUSA creates that buzz between student and industry.”
Human Moments That Matter
In a heartwarming moment, a Penske Snap-on toolbox winner chose to gift her prize to her great-niece, a fellow collision repair competitor, which captured the essence of SkillsUSA: family, mentorship and shared opportunity.
Another proud moment came when SkillsUSA earned national exposure on Fox Business, with a student at our booth proudly representing Penske gear during a live segment, helping to highlight the importance of student-employer connections. Watch the full segment here.
Building Authentic Career Connections
From immersive booth experiences to competition sponsorships and real-world tech demos, Penske’s presence was designed to attract and engage the next generation of talent. We proudly delivered:
- Hands-on experience with real-world technology and tools
- Exposure to career opportunities and direct recruiter connections
- Inspiration from industry leaders and role models
- Competitions that sharpen skills and build confidence
- Community support, mentorship and lasting professional networks
- Exclusive giveaways and contests that reward participation
Real-World Technology and Innovation in Action
Penske’s booth was designed to give students a realistic, hands-on look at technician careers and innovations driving the industry forward. Highlights included:
- A brand-new Emissions/Aftertreatment station, offering exposure to advanced diagnostics and emissions technology.
- A second diesel competition station managed by Penske, ensuring a smooth experience for judges and students.
- A LEGO-based diagnostics challenge and RealWear AR headset demo, both led by team member Sabrina Einsla, which introduced emerging diagnostics technology in a fun and engaging way, helping us connect with and inspire a younger talent demographic.
As Rick Labadie, director of staffing for the technician hiring center at Penske, noted:
“The students that are competing at SkillsUSA are the best of the best in their skilled trade throughout the USA. They represent the next generation entering our industry. Penske has been involved with SkillsUSA for many years, and it really takes a village to make this event happen — we’ve built an incredible network through this partnership. Watching students experience our latest tools, trucks and technology firsthand is always rewarding. This event showcases the pride, innovation and potential within our industry.”
Shaping the Future of Diesel Education
This year, Greg Klever, manager of technical schools and partnership programs at Penske, led the integration of emissions technology into the diesel equipment technology technical standards, ensuring the competition reflects current industry practices. Throughout the year, we expanded involvement to 14 state competitions and supported 75 competitors (44 high school and 31 post-secondary). Additionally, we stepped in to run the chassis station at the last minute, following a request from the technical chair, highlighting our team’s flexibility and commitment.
“With this momentum, we’re on track for full implementation of the emissions station in 2026 and beyond. I’m proud to be part of this ongoing growth and grateful for Penske’s support in our efforts with SkillsUSA.”
Key Milestone: Klever was also elected co-chair of the National Diesel Equipment Technology competition, a two-year leadership role that transitions into the chair role and enables Penske to bring feedback from OEMs and school partners to evolve the competition in meaningful ways for 2026 and beyond.
Thank You for Making Year 11 a Success!
This year reinforced why Penske continues to show up: to create opportunities, celebrate talent and cultivate community and collaboration within the skilled trades industry. We are proud to stand alongside the next generation of technicians, educators and partners who are shaping the future of our industry, and we look forward to continuing our role in powering careers and driving excellence in diesel and collision technology.
To explore technician careers and learn more about opportunities at Penske, visit Penske Technician Jobs.
