The Carlyle Tools MAX Impact scholarship is given each month to students enrolled in accredited skilled-trades programs focusing on automotive, diesel, collision repair, heavy equipment, marine, motorcycle, and aviation technology.

Each month, one winner is selected to receive a $2,500 award and a fully stocked, professional-grade toolbox packed with essential tools. Carlyle Tools and the TechForce Foundation partner to give out these awards. 

These are two recept recipients. 

Thomas Day 

Thomas Day is a student at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston. His program focuses on auto body/collision, although he says that he hopes to do “everything car-related” in his future career, “anything from paint to performance.” 

The goal he has been working toward for years is to open up a shop of his own with a friend.

“Cars are my passion and I want to have a good future,” he says. 

He’s spent two and a half years as a store manager prior to enrolling in technical school, but now gets to pursue a passion. 

Thomas is open about the assistance this scholarship provides for him and his ability to achieve that dream. 

“With 30 hours of school and 30 hours of work. I’m able to skim by paycheck to paycheck but I’m falling behind on loans and credit cards,” he says. “I’m able to pay my rent and car insurance and health insurance and food/gas, but that’s about it.” 

He says he’s been unsuccessful in looking for a new job at the moment.

“I’m struggling while keeping myself in school and this scholarship will help ease that struggle.” 

Michael Shawn Taylor 

Michael Shawn Taylor is a student at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Sacramento in California. The 19-year-old is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in entering the automotive service industry. He says he wants to “continue the legacy of excellence passed down through generations of my family.” 

“What excites me most about this career is the technical challenge and creativity involved in diagnosing and repairing engines,” Taylor said. “The sound of a motor, the complexity of its systems, and the satisfaction of taking something apart piece by piece and restoring it to full functionality drive my passion for mechanics. There is a unique sense of accomplishment in starting with a non-functioning machine and ending with one that runs smoothly because of my own knowledge and effort. This passion motivates me to continue learning, improving my skills, and pursuing excellence in the field of automotive mechanics.” 

His program at UTI Sacramento covers automotive, diesel agricultural mechanics, diesel medium- and heavy-duty, and industrial mechanics. 

As a father of a 10-month-old, Michael is open about the struggles that come along with raising a family while pursuing higher education. 

“Coming from a background where financial struggles are common, I simply cannot afford the cost of college on my own. Between supporting my daughter’s needs and managing everyday expenses, there is very little left to invest in my education.”  

But he is determined to push forward despite these challenges, and the scholarship will help him do so. 

“This scholarship makes an incredible difference in my life,” he said. “It relieves some of the financial stress that currently stands between me and my education. More importantly, it allows me to focus on my studies instead of worrying about how to pay for tuition, books, and childcare. With this support, I can dedicate myself fully to my coursework and career path, ultimately providing a better life for my daughter and improving our future opportunities.”