Hiring, Training, & Retaining Good Technicians Presentation · Hiring, Training, & Retaining Good...
Transcript of Hiring, Training, & Retaining Good Technicians Presentation · Hiring, Training, & Retaining Good...
Spring Conference Long Beach, CA – April , 2012
Hiring, Training, & Retaining
Good Technicians
Presentation
Grant Hendrick – First Transit Dir. of Maintenance
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Smart hiring begins with an honest skill-set
needs assessment - to target the right
technicians and set the hours needed.
• Be sure to consider your specific fleet make
up and of course the appropriate number of
technicians that may be required.
• What kind of PM program you are operating?
• What level of maintenance complexity is
anticipated with your fleet?
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Don’t forget any ancillary equipment such as
Fare Boxes, CCTV, PA’s, GPS, Radios, etc.
(Some of these may have been installed post
vehicle delivery).
• Will you require technicians to service these
components or are you going to sub-let this work
out?
• Very Specific skills may be needed for these
particular components – and may require
specialized training.
• Once your hiring needs are established, making
the right hire begins with good recruiting.
• A few things to consider when starting
recruitment efforts for techs.
– Where can I recruit the best technicians?
– What will I have to pay for the skill sets we
may need?
– How many techs are really needed?
• These are all important items to consider!
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring – Recruiting
• Methods for recruitment differ considerably
• Consider ALL methods that yield a good volume
of applicants - from a broad range of skill sets
• Electronic media such as Career Builder are
very popular and can be far reaching
• Print media can be expensive and less broad –
but may yield more “local talent” available
• Never overlook technician referrals from your
existing techs and staff
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Direct contact with Technical Schools is also a
good source for “fresh” talent.
• These schools offer comprehensive, industry
recognized training programs of all forms
• LATTC (Los Angeles Trades Technical College)
http://college.lattc.edu/
• UTI (Universal Technical Institute)
http://www.uti.edu/employers
• WyoTECH – http://www.wyotech.edu/
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• These schools offer training in automotive and
diesel so will fit nicely for the Paratransit industry
• A broad range of skills are always a good fit with
smaller shops vs. specialized techs that may not
be able to do everything you need
• Many of these technical colleges offer training
nearby - Los Angeles CA, Rancho Cucamonga
CA, Sacramento CA, Freemont CA, Long Beach
CA, and Phoenix AZ all have good programs
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Directly contacting various military services for
returning veterans is also a good source.
• Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines often come
with outstanding technical training behind them.
• Many will have training in complex military
equipment we will never see, but these skills are
transferrable and prove they can learn new skills
• These folks are usually skilled at operating in a
busy, stressful, environment too . . . just like
Paratransit
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Typically hiring from technical schools brings
applicants with knowledge of the latest
technologies used in newer vehicles
• They will need seasoning, but often can quickly
ascend to ASE and Master ASE certification
• Of course hiring ASE qualified techs is the
ultimate goal for hiring qualified technicians.
• However it goes without saying that a blend of
experience and formal training is the best of
both worlds
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Be aware of the many different ASE
certifications that are available . . .
• Choose the skills that best suite your needs now
• They can build or add levels of certification . . .
• You may have to pay more for ASE certified
techs but usually saves you time and money on
repairs
• Better diagnosis and quicker repairs along with
less “trial and error” for repairs saves money.
“Fix it right the first time”
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Hiring
• Ongoing training of existing staff is critical to
success in the shop
• Most manufacturers offer free training when
using their products – make use of this training
• ASE offers training manuals and practice testing
on-line at a minimal fee.
http://www.ase.com/Test-Prep-Training.aspx
• These will build confidence leading to success
• Some training is also available in Spanish
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
Automotive Technician Certification Levels
A1 Engine Repair
A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxles
A3 Manual Drive Train and Axles
A4 Suspension and Steering
A5 Brakes
A6 Electrical - Electronic Systems
A7 Heating Ventilation and A/C
A8 Engine Performance
A9 Light Vehicle Diesel Engines
ASE Automotive Master Certified = (A1 through A8)
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
School Bus Technician Certification Levels
S1 Body Systems and Special Equipment
S2 Diesel Engines
S3 Drive Train
S4 Brakes
S5 Suspension and Steering
S6 Electrical - Electronic Systems
S7 A/C Systems and Controls
ASE Master School Bus Certified = (S1 through S6)
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Certification Levels
T1 Gasoline Engines
T2 Diesel Engines
T3 Drive Train
T4 Brakes
T5 Suspension and Steering
T6 Electrical - Electronic Systems
T7 Heating Ventilation and A/C
T8 Preventive Maintenance and Inspection
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck Certified = (T2 through T7)
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
Transit Bus Technician Certification Levels
H1 Compressed Natural Gas Engines
H2 Diesel Engines
H3 Drive Train
H4 Brakes
H5 Suspension and Steering
H6 Electrical - Electronic Systems
H7 Heating Ventilation and A/C
H8 Preventive Maintenance and Inspection
ASE Master Transit Bus Certified = (H2 through H7)
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Training
New Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician Status
T2,S2, H2 Diesel Engines
T3, S3, H3 Drive Train
T4, S4, H4 Brakes
T5, S5, H5 Suspension and Steering
T6, S6, H6 Electrical - Electronic Systems
T7, S7, H7 Heating Ventilation and A/C
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician
• If you’ve done a good job of recruiting and
training, the next job is to keep your good techs.
• While this may be the last piece of today’s
presentation, it’s the really the most important –
after all if you can’t keep them . . . you have to
begin it all again!
• There are really no secrets to this piece of the
puzzle.
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Retaining Good Techs
• Retention starts with good working conditions!
– Clean, organized, and well light shops are a must
• The correct salary range for the skill sets and
your specific location need to be considered
– Compare local rates for comparable skills
– Consider shift differential and benefit packages too
• Any opportunity for further training is also great
hook that shouldn’t be forgotten
– Consider both formal and informal training options
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Retaining Good Techs
• Annual tooling allowances, boot allowance, and
tool insurance coverage are also good add-ons
to consider.
– Generally allowances are payable with receipts, so
you’re getting the value you are paying for.
– Tool insurance policy riders require accurate tool lists
and are generally not expensive – as a rider policy
– Keep tool inventories updated every year and keep
them on file in the event of a claim
• Of course provide all required safety equipment!
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Retaining Good Techs
• Hopefully by following these steps you’ve
researched, hired, trained, and are now retaining
your best ever technicians
• After all, next to driver wages, your maintenance
costs are the next largest expense
• Good technicians are the root of a great
maintenance program
• Look after them and they will save you money,
protect your fleet investment, and make you look
good!
Hiring, Training, and the Retention of Good
Technicians – Retaining Good Techs
• Questions on anything you’ve seen today?
Thank you for your attention.