Navistar announced the graduation of its first Uptime Academy class of nine students, as well as nine equipment donations to accredited technical schools through its TECH EmPOWERment program.

Uptime Academy presents an approach to technician training from 90-day pre-program dealership employment to on-the-job class assignments, according to Navistar. Students work with multiple vehicle types, including electric and fuel cell technologies. In addition to 3,200 hours of on-the-job training, Navistar said students are assigned a mentor and receive 800 hours of classroom time and lab work, a journeyman toolbox, and a laptop.

“The Navistar team and all partnered dealers are beyond proud to have helped launch the career of nine new technicians, providing them with valuable knowledge, mentors, and hands-on experience,” said Ana Salcido, technician recruitment manager. “By offering a paid, on-the-job learning environment, we differentiated ourselves within the industry during a difficult time for technician recruitment.”

The 2022-2023 Uptime Academy class is slated to begin with two more groups this month with 18 students, who are set to graduate in the summer of 2023, according to Navistar's news release.

To further aid technician education, the company said that dealers from around the U.S. have donated equipment to local colleges and technical programs through the TECH EmPOWERment initiative. Navistar added that the program supplies accredited technical schools with equipment, real-world advisory counsel, and employment prospects for aspiring technicians.