Register Now for the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Final Competitions and Recruit Talented Students

Registration is now open to NFPA members for the 2023 NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge final competitions. With the support of NFPA Pascal Society donors, this year’s NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge program features two separate competitions with a new race at each event, 23 universities, and a lot of excitement. Now is the time for NFPA Foundation donors to register and connect with these students. For more information or to register for the event, contact Mary Pluta at mpluta@nfpa.com.

Norgren will host the first event on April 12-14 in Littleton, Colorado, and Danfoss Power Solutions will host the other on April 26-28 in Ames, Iowa.

The Vehicle Challenge is an undergraduate program that requires engineering students to redesign a traditional bicycle using hydraulics as power transmission as a senior capstone design project or as an extracurricular activity. Students experience real-world engineering under strict deadlines for designing, building, testing, and demonstrating their designs. NFPA members serve as mentors and judges to guide the students in their learning. Through the program, students learn about fluid power, build a network of peers and industry professionals from all over the country and compete for cash prizes in four separate races – sprint, efficiency, regen, and endurance.

Industry members who register to attend will have the opportunity to:

• Judge the Final Presentations, Vehicle Design Reviews, and races.
• Participate in networking events designed to connect you with students.

Recruit These Students

Each of our five Power Partner universities has a team in this year’s Vehicle Challenge. Our Power Partner Universities are schools we have identified as having a strong fluid power curriculum, provide opportunities for hands-on learning through programs like the Vehicle Challenge, have Fluid Power Clubs, and participate in NFPA’s Speakers Bureau program to bring industry representatives to classes. Members who recruit from these universities have found excellent candidates.

NFPA regularly hosts recruitment events at our Power Partner universities. Please join us for a Mechanical Engineering Recruitment Event at Northern Illinois University at Rock Valley College on March 6th.

We’d also like to encourage you to check out the career services offices of these power partner universities to learn more about how you can recruit directly on campus.

Milwaukee School of Engineering Career Connections Center

Purdue University Center for Career Opportunities

Iowa State University Engineering Career Services

Northern Illinois University Career Services

Murray State University Career Services

If you need help connecting to these schools or want additional information, please contact the workforce team at workforce@nfpa.com.