Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) hosted its inaugural Technician Skills Competition, which tested technicians’ ability to diagnose and repair DTNA’s range of products, including the Freightliner Cascadia, New Cascadia, Detroit heavy-duty engine, and DT 12 transmission.

Out of hundreds of highly skilled technicians from service locations across the U.S. and Canada, two emerged as the winners: Travis Gannon of Lonestar Truck Group in Waco, Texas, in the Vehicle Competition, and Terry Podralski of W.W. Williams Midwest LLC, in Akron, Ohio, in the Engine Competition.

Offering the largest service network in the industry, DTNA and its affiliated service locations have invested close to $5 million in technician training and development this calendar year. Some of the programs and initiatives include:

• Get Ahead Program: Get Ahead is a partnership program between DTNA, diesel schools, and DTNA service network locations that offers diesel schools access to web based training free of charge.

• Finish First: Finish First is a 12 week hands-on training program offered at select Universal Technical Institute campuses nationwide. Students earn certifications for Freightliner and Western Star trucks as well as Detroit engines.

• Trucks for Training Program: The Trucks for Training program allows top ranking Get Ahead schools to purchase used Freightliner or Western trucks at a reduced price.  

• Master Technician Recognition Program: Launching in November 2018, the Master Technician Recognition Program will recognize and reward technicians that go above and beyond in the pursuit of providing an unsurpassed customer experience. Ten technicians will visit the corporate headquarters and provide feedback on what they see in the field.