Navistar is recognizing its technicians for National Technician Appreciation Week this week, as well as graduates from its second Uptime Academy class.
Navistar's dealer network employs more than 6,000 technicians. To recognize the hard work of its techs, the OEM donated equipment to educational institutions through the TECH EmPOWERment initiative.
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"From our Uptime Academy program to simply connecting with our technicians through continuing education, there is no shortage of passion and heart in our dealer service network. Our technicians are the men and women getting their hands dirty with our vehicles on a daily basis, and their enthusiasm inspires us," says Ana Salcido, technician recruitment manager.
Uptime Academy recently gradated 18 apprentices. The academy is a year-long apprenticeship program for high school graduates that offers hands-on training to prepare for a technician career. It includes 3,200 hours of real-world experience and 800 hours of classroom and lab work, with customized training units to fit Navistar's and Navistar dealers' needs.
J.T. Hojonski, a graduate of the inaugural Uptime Academy class, now works for Hill International as a lead technician. He will mentor his own Uptime Academy class in 2023-2024.
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"At a dealership, you are the first and last in line; you sell customers the truck and continue to service it for hundreds of thousands of miles," Hojonski says. "Much of what you run across is something complex and challenging, and you have to be ready for anything. Don't be afraid of change, because we are in an everchanging industry and knowing the cutting-edge technology is vital."
The TECH EmPOWERment donations went around the country. Recent donations include:
- Lonoke Public School District in Lonoke, Arkansas, by Rush Truck Centers.
- Southern Illinois University diesel program by Navistar Research & Development.
- St. Louis Community College in St. Louis by Rush Truck Centers.
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Clarksville, Tennessee, by Tri-State International.
- Hendrickson USA in Woodridge, Illinois, by Navistar Research & Development.
- WTI Foundation in Laramie, Wyoming, by McCandless International.
- Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama, by Southland Transportation Group.
- Ranken Technical College in Wentzville, Missouri, by Rush Enterprises.
- Ventura College in Ventura, California, by Gibbs Truck.
- Palomar Community College in San Marcos, California, by Cal Pacific Truck Center.
- Wayne County Schools Career Center in Smithville, Ohio, by Rush Truck Centers.
- Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, by Southland Transportation Group.
- Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, by West Michigan International.
- Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe, Louisiana, by Scott Truck.
- Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.
