There is no denying that a variety of new technologies are coming into the market at a dizzying pace. While no fleet will likely adopt every technology, fleet managers need to spend time learning about each option to see which ones make sense for their operation.
Once a technology has been selected and installed the real work begins. Of course, drivers need to be trained on how the new systems and components operate. But beyond that, technicians — the ones at your own internal shops as well as the ones at dealerships and independent repair garages — will need to be trained on proper maintenance and repair procedures.
All technology — even new technology — needs to be maintained properly and there can be issues with early production runs which can lead to unique repairs and maintenance.
Training of emerging technologies has been an on-going issue with manufacturers and suppliers trying to find ways to make training more accessible to technicians. Technology itself has been a great enabler of getting training resources down to the technician. Most manufactures and suppliers still offer regional, in-person training. Hands-on training is important but not always practical so many manufacturers and suppliers are adding training modules and training videos to their websites so technicians can see for themselves the right way to make a repair.
At the recent Technology & Maintenance Council meeting, Dana announced that it has broadened its "Driveline Forensics" commercial-vehicle technician training series to include maintenance and inspection videos covering front non-drive steer axles and rear-drive axle carriers. Mark Wallace, president of Commercial Vehicle Drive and Motion Systems for Dana, said, "These training courses serve an important purpose in sufficiently preparing today's technicians to service and maintain evolving vehicle and component technologies."
During Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, Meritor talked about its training offering for 2020. Training includes live online interactive distance training seminars as well as Meritor Bullpen, a web portal that allows users to access product information and training via desktop, tablet and mobile devices. Users can find more than 1,000 documents including product presentations, sales literature, product videos and photos, service bulletins and parts books. Meritor BullPen is a comprehensive curriculum of web-based training courses designed to enhance technicians’ product knowledge and service needs with more than 100 web-based courses covering the full range of Meritor products and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
These are just examples of what two suppliers are doing to make training as convenient as possible, and most suppliers are beefing up their training efforts and working on ways to bring information closer to the shop floor.
The truck makers too offer training to their dealer network and the dealers, in turn, make training available to fleets — often coming to the fleet’s location to conduct hand-on sessions.
The trucking industry has a need for more training and that need is only going to grow as new technology makes its way into the market. Part of the success of a technology is the ease with which it can be maintained and repaired. I am confident that trucking industry suppliers will continue to step up to make sure training is available to all those who maintain and repair trucks. Just like there is no one technology that is right for all fleets, there is no one way to train that is right for every situation. I am excited to see how the creative minds in the trucking industry will solve the training challenges the new technologies bring.