Help Us Help the Trade: Nominate Someone for Our Autobody or Auto Upholstery Toolbox Giveaway

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People throughout the automotive industry talk every day about the shortage of skilled workers. Shops need technicians. Experienced craftspeople are retiring. Young people are looking for a path forward, but many do not know where to begin—or cannot afford the tools they need to take that first serious step.

Talking about the problem is easy. Doing something about it takes action.

Atomic Autoworks Garage is assembling two automotive toolboxes to give away: one focused on autobody repair and one focused on auto upholstery. You can nominate yourself or nominate someone else who deserves an opportunity.

This giveaway is part of our larger Bring Back the Trades mission. We want to help someone get started, keep moving forward or improve their abilities in a trade they are already pursuing.

Two Toolboxes. Two Trades. One Purpose.

The automotive industry is made up of many specialized skills. For this giveaway, we are focusing on two areas that are important to vehicle repair, restoration and customization.

Autobody Toolbox

The autobody toolbox is intended for someone pursuing collision repair, refinishing, restoration, bodywork or related hands-on automotive work. Whether that person is learning basic repair techniques, working as an apprentice or trying to advance within the industry, having dependable tools can help turn effort into real progress.

Auto Upholstery Toolbox

The auto upholstery toolbox is intended for someone interested in automotive interiors, seat repair, custom upholstery, trim work or interior restoration. Auto upholstery requires patience, creativity, craftsmanship and specialized tools that many people do not already own when they enter the trade.

The final contents and details of each toolbox will be listed in the official giveaway information.

Why We Are Doing This

Inflation has made nearly every part of entering or advancing in a skilled trade more expensive. Tools, materials, transportation, education and everyday living costs all compete for the same paycheck. For someone who is just getting started—or someone already working hard to improve—the cost of equipment can become a real barrier.

We cannot solve every challenge facing the automotive industry with two toolboxes. But we can help two people move forward, and we can encourage others to take action alongside us.

The need is real. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 16,000 openings for automotive body and glass repairers each year, on average, from 2024 through 2034. Many of those openings are expected to come from workers changing occupations or leaving the workforce. Learn more from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If we want qualified people in the trade tomorrow, we must support people who are willing to learn the trade today.

Who Should Be Nominated?

You may nominate yourself or someone you believe would genuinely benefit from one of these toolboxes, subject to the official eligibility requirements.

A strong nominee might be:

• A student interested in autobody or automotive upholstery

• A young person searching for a practical career path

• An apprentice beginning to build a professional tool collection

• A hardworking employee trying to strengthen their skills

• Someone changing careers and entering the automotive trades

• An experienced tradesperson facing difficult circumstances

• Someone with real drive and ability who needs help getting to the next level

This is not only about helping a beginner. Someone who is already in the trade but lacks the proper tools, is rebuilding after a setback or is working to become more capable may also be a meaningful nominee.

What matters is the person’s commitment to learning, working and using the opportunity to move forward.

How to Submit a Nomination

To nominate yourself or someone else:

1. Visit the official nomination form.

2. Select either the autobody or auto upholstery toolbox.

3. Tell us about the nominee, their goals and their connection to the trade.

4. Explain how receiving the toolbox could help them begin, improve or continue their journey.

5. Submit the nomination before the official deadline.

Please do not share sensitive personal information in public comments or social-media posts. Use the official nomination form for the requested details.

NOMINATE YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE

Nomination deadline:TBD

Eligibility and complete details: Read the official rules

Stop Complaining and Start Helping

Everyone complains about the shortage of qualified automotive tradespeople. Shop owners struggle to find help. Customers wait longer for specialized work. Experienced technicians wonder who will carry these skills into the future.

Here is a chance to do more than complain.

Nominate someone. Share the giveaway. Encourage a student. Mentor a beginner. Donate tools. Support a training program. Give a hardworking person a chance to prove what they can do.

One action may feel small, but a toolbox in the hands of the right person can become the beginning of a career, a business or a lifetime of craftsmanship.

Businesses and Community Members Can Help Too

This giveaway becomes stronger when the automotive community works together. Businesses, suppliers, tool companies, shops and individuals can support the effort by:

• Donating useful tools or equipment

• Contributing financially toward toolbox contents

• Sharing the nomination opportunity

• Offering mentorship, job-shadowing or training opportunities

• Helping us reach students, apprentices and working tradespeople

• Partnering with Atomic Autoworks Garage on future skilled-trade initiatives

Every contribution helps us put better tools and better opportunities into the hands of people who are ready to work.

SUPPORT THE BRING BACK THE TRADES MOVEMENT

Businesses interested in supporting the giveaway or future trade initiatives can contact Atomic Autoworks Garage at customize@atomicautoworks.com.

Help Us Help Our Trade

The future of autobody repair, automotive upholstery, restoration and customization depends on people who are willing to learn difficult skills and take pride in doing the job correctly.

Those people are out there. Sometimes they simply need someone to notice their effort, believe in their potential and help them get a foothold.

If you know someone who deserves that opportunity, nominate them. If you are working hard to build your own future, nominate yourself. If you are in a position to help, support or share the giveaway.

Let’s stop talking about the skilled-trade shortage as if nothing can be done.

Help us help our trade. Nominate someone today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I nominate myself?

Yes. You may nominate yourself if you meet the official eligibility requirements and believe one of the toolboxes would help you begin, improve or continue your work in autobody or auto upholstery.

Can I nominate someone else?

Yes. You may nominate a friend, family member, student, apprentice, employee or another deserving person. Explain why you believe the nominee would benefit and how they plan to use the tools.

Is the giveaway only for beginners?

No. The giveaway is intended to help people entering the trade as well as people already working in the trade who need support improving their tools, skills or opportunities, subject to the official rules.

What is included in each toolbox?

The confirmed toolbox contents, approximate prize value and any substitutions will be described in the official giveaway details.

Who is eligible?

Age, location and any other eligibility requirements will be listed in the official rules. Review those rules before submitting a nomination.

When will the recipients be announced?

The nomination deadline, review process and announcement date will be published with the official giveaway rules.