Forty-five technicians from five Truck Centers Inc. service departments recently completed the first round of competition for the inaugural “Tech Challenge” title. In addition to the recognition of their abilities, participants are vying for more than $5,000 in prizes, including tool gift certificates and an all-expense paid trip to next year’s “SuperTech” competition presented by the Technology & Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations.
The program was implemented to highlight the advanced knowledge and professional skills that the technicians bring to the Truck Centers’ network of dealerships in order to consistently deliver premier customer service. The participants recently completed a detailed 350-question written examination that consisted of various topics ranging from corporate policy and safety standards to common diagnostic and repair tasks as well as advanced topics relating to Daimler Trucks of North America products, including Freightliner models and Detroit Diesel engines.
The five technicians with the highest cumulative scores will gather at the Truck Centers’ campus in Troy, Ill., on Sept. 9 for their final skills competition. Each finalist will participate in hands-on modules that will challenge their diagnostic ability and professional expertise. The results will be announced during the company’s “40th Anniversary Jubilee” celebration on Oct. 1.
The inaugural TCI Tech Challenge finalists are Don Blaney, TCI–Springfield; Mike Grawe, TCI-Troy; Gabe Kline, TCI-Morton; James Krikie, TCI-Mt. Vernon; and Rob McNees, TCI-St. Louis. The highest finishing “Rookie” technician with less than two years of service was Zach Brown, TCI-Springfield.
