One of the highlights of the fall Technology & Maintenance Council meeting is the SuperTech competition. This two-day event features a three-part written test and various hands-on skills challenges. The technicians who participate in the competition are incredibly skilled at troubleshooting and repairing problems. I strongly recommend that you attend the TMC Fall Meeting where this competition is held if you have never done so.
Currently, the hands-on skills challenge involves diesel-powered trucks, but I envision a day where the competition will be divided by fuel type, and technicians can choose to compete in any one or more of several powertrain options.
It’s definitely something to think about.
But before we can have a skills competition that includes the best of the best, we need to begin training initiatives on servicing some of these alternative powertrain options. I know that some of the truck makers have already developed and launched battery electric certification programs for their dealerships. These programs include training for technicians who will be working on battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Getting technicians trained now is a good idea even though the population of BEVs is relatively small. At some point, more BEVs will be on the road, and dealers that are prepared to service them will have a competitive advantage.
See also: Roeth: Look beyond U.S. borders for alternative fuel knowledge
In the “messy middle” of trucking, however, dealers and fleets should consider training their technicians on servicing other powertrain options like CNG, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen ICE, and hybrids.
Because some systems will remain the same, current technicians won't have to start from scratch learning about these new vehicles. They will be able to repair them using the skills and knowledge they already have; however, they will have to learn the nuances of other powertrains. Maybe it will make sense to have technicians specialize in certain types of vehicles rather than being able to work on all vehicles.
I also see this move through the messy middle as a way for the industry to attract younger people to become technicians as the next-generation trucks will have even more technology and software than current model trucks. The younger generation loves technology and is very adept at using it to solve problems.
It might make sense to pair these tech-loving new techs with veteran techs who can share their wisdom on best maintenance and repair practices. In this way, the industry gets the best of both worlds.
