Technical training is more important than ever. Bendix hears this repeatedly in its conversations with fleets across North America. For nearly six decades, the company has made it a priority to understand and deliver on that critical need. Once again, Bendix will bring this deep market insight as it kicks off its 2022 brake school sessions.
Bendix’s training program continues in 2022 with in-person and virtual training opportunities — along with a new testing option for each — for fleet technicians, owner-operators and others to enhance the skills necessary for keeping vehicles on the road and in safe operating condition.
“From our partners throughout the industry, we understand the need for comprehensive, convenient training — made even more urgent by the technician shortage — and we are committed to helping meet that need,” says Lance Hansen, Bendix vice president – aftermarket sales, fleet, service and field operations.
“These men and women operate in a fast-changing commercial vehicle landscape, where safety components evolve rapidly, and where carriers face intense pressure to maintain overall safety, performance and uptime while striving to lower their total cost of ownership,” Hansen says.
Training options, testing opportunity
In-person opportunities on the 2022 calendar cover 11 states. They include 12 sessions of Bendix’s three-day Air Brake Training class — long recognized as setting the industry training standard — beginning March 15-17 in Irving, Texas, the company says.
And to address market demand, Bendix is expanding availability of its highly attended two-day in-person Advanced Technology Training program, which launched in 2019. The course will be held six times this year, with four sessions at Bendix’s new headquarters in Avon, Ohio, including the first one, March 22-23, and two at the company’s Sparks, Nev., location.
In addition, Bendix is holding three Virtual Training sessions of its three-day Air Brake Training class, with the first kicking off March 1-3.
Registration is open for the complete schedule of both courses. Every class is conducted by a member of the ASE-certified veteran Bendix Service Engineering Team.
New in 2022 is optional testing. All registrants in the three-day Air Brake Training and two-day Bendix Advanced Technology Training school may elect to take part in a written test administered at the close of each class. Bendix will grade the exam, and registrants earning a passing grade will receive a Tested and Passed Certificate. Those who take the exam and don’t pass will receive a Certificate of Completion, as will registrants who elect not to participate in the optional testing.
In-person Bendix training and the optional test are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It does not take the place of any instruction or certification exam administered by the DOT.
All in-person training adheres to the latest safety, health and sanitization protection protocols, as applicable, including social distancing and other safety guidelines. All federal, state, local and Bendix-specific restrictions apply.
Safety curriculum
Bendix’s three-day Air Brake Training class is tailored to both new and experienced technicians, and covers the description, operation, and service elements for the total range of components found within dual air brake systems. Classroom topics include the fundamentals of compressed air; tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting; and components such as air compressors, valves, foundation drum brakes, air disc brakes and steering.
Bendix recommends that each participant complete the online air brake training at the company’s brake-school.com site before taking the in-person Air Brake Training.
The two-day Bendix Advanced Technology Training class covers the operation and troubleshooting of higher-level driver assistance and safety systems, as well as diagnostic software.
Sessions will address: Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), AutoVue Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System from Bendix CVS, Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program, Bendix Wingman Advanced – A Collision Mitigation Technology, Bendix Wingman Fusion driver assistance systems, SafetyDirect system by Bendix CVS, SmarTire and SmarTire Trailer-Link TPMS by Bendix CVS, and Active Steering by Bendix.
The Advanced Technology Training program includes hands-on, in-depth maintenance instruction for Bendix air disc brakes and electrical diagnostics.
“This class is a must for advanced technicians as more fleets adopt complex technologies like collision mitigation systems and continue to rapidly expand their use of air disc brakes,” Hansen says.
Because of the quantity and complexity of the products covered, Bendix strongly advises each student to complete either the three-day Air Brake Training course or, at a minimum, the online air brake training at brake-school.com before taking the Advanced Technology Training class.
Per-person enrollment costs are $450 for Air Brake Training, $400 for Advanced Technology Training, and $300 for the Virtual Class. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and class size is limited. Registration may be completed online at www.bendix.com; by phone at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725), option 3; by email at [email protected]; or via fax (216-651-3261). See the full listing of dates and locations below or visit www.bendix.com.
“Safety doesn’t happen just on the roads,” Hansen says. “At every turn, Bendix recognizes the increasing importance of wide-ranging technician training and education, and its role in creating safer highways for everyone.”
