“How can I attract and retain good technicians?” is a question frequently asked by fleet equipment managers.
More companies are beginning to realize the value of technician skills competitions in answering this question (see “One idea for 2008” on page 10). One company that has successfully implemented a technicians’ contest is Rush Enterprises Inc., a provider of Class 4 through 8 truck sales and service with more than 50 locations across 10 southern and western states.
Recently, 55 technicians traveled expenses-paid to the Rush Truck Center in Nashville for the company’s second annual technician skills rodeo. The competition began months earlier with a written examination of 150 questions voluntarily taken by 530 techs companywide –– a 60 percent increase in participation from last year. From this group, 15 techs with the highest scores in each of four divisions –– some qualifying in more than one –– moved on to the hands-on skills competitions. Three prize winners in Peterbilt Medium Duty, Caterpillar, Cummins and Eaton divisions advanced to the finals to determine the Rush Best All Around. In addition to hospitality events, meals and a Peterbilt factory tour for the techs, more than $50,000 in cash and prizes were presented over the two-day competition.
Mike Besson, Rush’s VP of service operations who supervised the competition, said the rodeo was a positive way to counter high rates of technician turnover by giving techs added recognition for their contributions to the bottom line. Additionally, the contest helps to develop techs’ career paths by encouraging further training, which the company supports with on-site and off-site sessions with various vendors.
Company founder and chairman, W. Marvin Rush, emphasized that the rodeo is an extension of the Rush culture that values productivity, fairness, excellence and positive attitude for employees, customers, vendors and shareholders alike. Not only does it show the company’s commitment and investment in its techs, it demonstrates that the company provides its employees with the tools and environment necessary to succeed. The event helps techs improve their skills and provide better customer service, so all benefit. “Our people are our greatest asset,” says Rush. “We try to make them feel like family –– reward and recognize them –– all through Rush, not just the techs.” Next year, the company hopes to add skill events for its body shop and parts departments. 
The rodeo’s semi-final and final tasks involved giving technicians a verbal description of a problem as might be related by a driver, which the techs must identify and isolate by diagnosing fault codes for the transmission, engine or chassis –– or troubleshooting an electrical problem. It could also be as simple as noticing something wrong in plain sight and fixing it. The techs had 45 minutes to correct the situation on identically bugged trucks or tractors, while judges and manufacturers’ representatives hovered nearby, and spectators and technicians from other shops cheered from bleachers set up for the event.
This year’s Rush All Around champion was Dustin Ebert of Phoenix, who won $5,000 for top prize in the medium-duty test; $4,500 in the Eaton event (a tie for first place); and $5,000 for All-Around Tech honors –– a total of $14,500.
