Bulldog helping dealers get techs

Mack Trucks, Inc. reports it's launching a new program aimed at helping "dealers find, train and retain the next generation of skilled technicians."

According to Al Hertzog, director of the North American Institute (NAI), the dealer and customer training operation for Mack, the new Technician Recruitment Program is built around technician recruitment kit that features materials and advice for convincing young persons to consider a career as a truck technician.

He said the kit includes a recruitment guide, brochures, video and PowerPoint presentations for educating potential tech recruits about the benefits of a career in truck repair and maintenance.

Hertzog noted a key audience for the materials is high school students. "Many of them believe that a four-year college degree is their only option," he said. "They have this image of the 'dirty mechanic.' We need to make young people understand that with the advent of advanced electronics, computerized diagnostics and other technologies, the nature of the job has changed dramatically. Working on trucks today provides a great way to make a good living doing something you enjoy."

NAI is also adding an Entry Level Technician training course to its list of offered classes, also to help dealers develop and retain newly recruited employees. "That's a critical part of the overall strategy," Hertzog said. "It's not enough just to bring them in the door. New recruits need proper training to be effective.

“Dealers have told us that what they need most right now are technicians with basic computer and technical skills,” he continued. “They're looking for people who can remove and replace water pumps, alternators and wheel seals, for example, and do basic brake overhauls, and at the same time be familiar enough with computers to program an electronic control module in a truck. So it's these basic skills that are the focus of our new course."