How to compete in TMC’s annual National Technician Skills Competition
Getting commercial vehicle technicians involved as competitors in the annual Technology & Maintenance Council (tmc.trucking.org) TMCSuperTech – trucking’s only industry-wide competition aimed at honoring commercial vehicle technicians and recognizing the best of the best – requires a mere six steps.
This competition allows technicians to demonstrate their skills and knowledge through a variety of diagnostic and problem-solving skills tests over the two-day event. Those that are most proficient earn industry recognition and valuable prizes.
Fleet Maintenance (www.VehicleServicePros.com) is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the TMCSuperTech – the National Technician Skills Competition.
TMCSuperTech2014 marks the event’s 10th anniversary. TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC), a group that promotes and enhances the professionalism of commercial vehicle technicians, created the competition and organized the first TMCSuperTech in 2005.
STEP 1
REGISTER
Any commercial vehicle technician employed in the trucking industry may register for TMCSuperTech. The entry fee for TMC technician members is $160. For non-member technicians, the fee is $235, which also includes TMC technician membership for the remainder of this year.
The entry fee is waived for verified champions of the 2014 state trucking association technician skills contests. These technicians skip the pre-qualification tests and are automatically included in the finals.
Technicians may register for the TMCSuperTech online at: http://app.versiform.net/Forms/Edit/254458/5494?access_token=0db932ff-a1c0-4225-b3be-08acca25e643.
STEP 2
ATTEND
The TMCSuperTech is held in conjunction with the annual TMC Fall Meeting. This year’s meeting, themed, Celebrating Technical Achievement, will take place in Orlando, FL, Monday through Thursday, Sept. 22 to 25 at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort and Convention Center.
Upon checking in for the competition, registered competitors will receive their TMCSuperTech credentials and be asked to attend a special orientation for competitors.
STEP 3
PRE-QUALIFY
On Monday morning, Sept. 22, the TMCSuperTech competitors will compete in the pre-qualification round, which consists of a written multiple-choice examination and a series of hands-on skill prequalification tests.
The PTDC Technician Training Fair will be held on Wednesday. Open to all TMCSuperTech competitors and fall meeting attendees, the fair offers a range of educational opportunities.
The training sessions planned for this year are: Fastener 101 Basic Training: Identifying Grade Markings of Common Fasteners; Torque Program Development and Management; and Tire Safety and Understand Wear Patterns that Cost Fleets Cash (See article elsewhere this issue.)
STEP 4
GATHER
The TMCSuperTech2014 Reception will be held Monday evening following the pre-qualification testing. It’s during this reception that the names of the competitors who will move on to the finals – Hands-On Skills Challenge – on Tuesday, Sept. 23, are announced.
After the reception, everyone has the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Hands-On Skills Challenge stations.
STEP 5
COMPETE
The Hands-On Skill Challenge takes place on Tuesday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Qualifying competitors will compete in a series of 14 stations, covering the following diagnostic skill areas:
- Brakes.
- Drivetrain.
- Electrical/Electronics.
- Engine (Electronics).
- Engine (Hardware).
- Fifth Wheel.
- HVAC.
- Liftgates.
- PMI (Pre-trip Inspection).
- Service Information.
- Starting and Charging.
- Steering/Suspension.
- Tires and Wheels.
- Wheel Ends.
Lunch will be provided for all competitors, judges and other registered guests. Spectators are welcome on the competition floor.
STEP 6
RECOGNIZE
The winners of the TMCSuperTech 2014 will be announced, and trophies and prizes presented, during the TMC Industry Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Awards are given for first, second and third best in the overall competition.
The technician who earns the first place honor is declared the TMCSuperTech Grand Champion and receives an expense-paid trip to the 2015 Daytona 500, in addition to other prizes. The winner’s name will appear on the TMCSuperTech Grand Champion Banner that is displayed at every TMC meeting.
Second and third place winners will also receive trophies and valuable prizes. Individuals who have the top score for each of the Hands-On Skills Challenge stations, including those from the pre-qualification round, receive special prizes as well.
New for this year, TMC is instituting team recognition for the TMCSuperTech. Companies that have individuals competing can designate small teams. The score of each team member will be combined and the teams with the highest total scores will also be recognized with honors and prizes for first, second and third place.
Also new for TMCSuperTech this year is a special competition for technician students who are in a votech school’s diesel program and are at least 18 years of age. Here again, honors and prizes for awarded for first, second and third place.
