TECHNICAL TRAINING
Technical Training Available for 4Y-US Engine (EControls): Two different eLearning modules will be available with another diagnostic course coming later.
The EControls Software Introduction course introduces technicians to the software used to connect to the system. It covers setting up the software, the types of information that is available, and the troubleshooting tools.
A second eLearning is coming at the end of August that will cover the components used in the fuel and emissions systems of both the EControls and Kubota engines.
These courses are available in the Dealer Portal.
Future Course:
EControls Fuel System Diagnostics-Timing TBD, this course will cover troubleshooting issues in EControls-equipped trucks. This module will be part of T340 for new technicians but can be taught independently for current techs.
T410- Advanced Troubleshooting Training: Our technical trainers have been busy with back-to-back T410 – Advanced Troubleshooting classes. Congratulations to the fifteen technicians that have now earned gold.
Left to Right: Dwayne Pretty, Judd Mullin, Wesley Oakley, Michael Starnes, Bryan Pate, Chris Stuart, Michael Leven, and Harold Hoag
Top Row: Drake Larson, Eli Stevens, and Chuck McCammon
Bottom Row: Alex Kelley, Dan Furko, Dale Sherwood, and Rod Barningham
Platinum Skills Test in September: Attention Gold Technicians! It’s time to sharpen up your skills and dust off those repair manuals. The Platinum Skills Test will be made available September 6 – September 19. Please look for further communication to participate.
PRODUCT TRAINING
22 in 22 Regional Product Training Updates: Niels Ostergaard and Dustin Fullerton have been on the road conducting training on the 22 new electric products launched at ToyotaWeek in 2022. The 1.5 days of training on product features, options, applications, and markets are designed to assist sales reps with generating new opportunities and growing market share. The training covers the new Stand Up Rider, Reach Trucks (pantograph and moving mast), Enclosed End Rider, Low Level Order Picker, and 48V & 80V Electric Pneumatic Forklifts.
This year, eight sessions have been completed in the South Atlantic, Northwest, South, and North Atlantic, South Central, and Midwest districts, with 233 Sales professionals and dealer leadership attending. There are eight remaining sessions across five districts; see the link below for registration, locations, and dates.
https://forms.gle/1XaLpud28nNR9Hbs5
TOYOTA LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS (TLS) TRAINING
Congratulations to our July 17 Toyota Logistics Solutions Graduates: Toyota Logistics Solutions is a 3.5-day Toyota Logistics Solutions Program where participants will learn about warehouse operations and how to provide end-to-end solutions in this space. Participants will be introduced to warehousing terminology, the functions of warehousing, and the various products and services available to help customers improve processes and increase productivity.
Graduates: Randy Hill, Mary Sottile Graham, Monte Johnson, Ben Fugatt, Jeremy Day, Michael Graham, Hunter Hensley, Marci Solomon, Mark Meneau, Heath Allen, Skye Ashworth, Bryson Oliver, Marc Hebert, John Blair, Jason Henson, Alfredo Escobedo, Kristian Gallardo, Marcus Perez, Stephen Messonnier, Ivan Alvarez, Josh Lashley, Andrew Tatro, and Chris Bell.
TECHNICIAN SPOTLIGHT
Jeff Shaffer – Williams Toyota Lift
William has been a technician since right after high school in 2003, but he didn’t realize forklifts were his passion until about 16 years ago. The thing that he enjoys most about being a forklift technician is meeting people. When it seems to them that everything is going wrong, he gets to be the “little ray of sunshine” to get them moving again.
When asked what he looks forward to most in becoming a Platinum Technician, he stated, “I have always had a passion for learning. I use this as a way to motivate myself to stay “relevant” and on top of the new models being released. I know prior to platinum test time that I need to see which products may have been released since last year. Also, it helps keep me fresh and connected to TMH in ways that I don’t get to on a normal day-to-day basis. It’s really easy to hyper-focus on the models of equipment that our regular customers have. This program is a great way to keep my eyes open to the bigger picture.”
To prepare for the Platinum Test, he stays up to date with portal training throughout the year. “I also make sure my computers and service manuals are all ready before launching the test.”
Advice Jeff would give anyone wanting to pursue a career as a technician, “in my experience, it seems like most people starting out from school go right into the automotive field. I recommend skipping this step and spending as little time as possible working on cars. Focus on getting straight into the equipment side of the industry.”
An interesting fact about Jeff is he grew up in a major metropolitan area but did a 180-degree turn after my first year in college. “Neither my wife nor I were born into country living, but we’ve learned and grown together as time has gone on. We now maintain a small herd of dairy goats, laying hens, and even raise a lot of our own meat. He and his wife also grow and preserve most of our produce for the year.”
Jeff’s hobbies include spending time working on the dairy goat farm with his family, playing softball, camping, fishing, hunting, and playing video games when possible.