I get a lot of phone calls. Nothing unusual about it in my capacity as the communications guy at ASE, but every so often an interesting coincidence occurs. For example, recently three different reporters from three different well-known consumer publications phoned to ask pretty much the same question: What does it take to be a technician these days? The question was aimed at automotive technicians, but it got me thinking about the medium- and heavy-duty fleet market, as well.
The changes in diesel engine technology have been well-documented, as has the growing interest in alternate fuels like CNG and LNG, along with heavy-duty hybrids. According to the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diesel service technicians is expected to grow 15% through 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be best for those who have completed postsecondary training. All well and good, but if you take a look at some of the training topics presented at the ATA’s Technology and Maintenance Council meetings this year, engine technology is only part of the picture.
Educational opportunities for meeting attendees at the Technician Training Fair held in conjunction with TMC SuperTech 2012 this month in Pittsburg focus on maintenance issues with the theme “Forging Solutions for Tomorrow’s Maintenance Challenges.” The mini technical sessions offered cover Modern HVAC Control System Diagnostics, Fifth Wheel Systems, Understanding Loss of Tension in the Accessory Belt Drive System, Environmental Awareness and Safety Procedures, Repair Order Process Guidelines and Advanced Multimeter Techniques.
When setting training priorities, it’s important to be up to speed on changes in basic maintenance services. Things like new fluids are every bit as important as the latest developments in emission controls and fuel efficiency. These days, everything is interrelated and often impacts other areas of operation that may not be readily apparent. Keeping your technical staff abreast of maintenance issues is, perhaps, one of the best examples of the value of ongoing training when it comes to making sure your fleet is operating at maximum efficiency.
The challenge is providing the mundane as well as the revolutionary, and doing it cost-effectively with a changing workforce means leveraging technology and the latest learning methods. There is no silver bullet, and the best approach usually will mean trying different approaches. For example, simply putting training online is not enough. Skills development is a complex issue and needs to be addressed on multiple levels, not the least of which is finding ways to have the expert technicians in your organization contribute to the learning process. The experts call this a “blended learning approach.” What it means is finding ways to provide ongoing training through highly engaging experiences and the use of technology to quickly ramp up training within your organization. You can maximize the effectiveness of this approach with specific company initiatives stressing interaction and collaboration that allows practical, innovative ideas to bubble up from your technical staff.
Some next-generation learning technologies include short videos and audio podcasts incorporating interactive assessments; using recorded classroom sessions, scenario-based training and even 3-D simulations. Being aware of such developments and integrating them into your training process is yet another challenge we face in the 21st Century.
