TMC Competitions To Showcase The Best Technicians In The Industry
In an ever-changing and increasingly complex industry, adaptable and efficient technicians are highly sought after, perhaps now more than ever before. The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) is once again looking for the industry’s best technicians to place their diagnostic and problem solving skills up against trucking’s best of the best in the TMCSuperTech competition.
Built for professionals, TMCSuperTech2017 marks the 13th anniversary of the National Technician Skills Competition – an event designed to determine the industry’s top technicians through a variety of troubleshooting tests and skills challenges.
TMCSuperTech2017 will once again feature a separate track for trailer technicians. The Trailer Technician Track recognizes the special challenges trailer technicians face in fleet and service provider operations.
Up-and-coming technicians may register to compete in the student-equivalent, the fourth annual National Student Technician Competition, TMCFutureTech2017.
Organized by TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC), the national TMCSuperTech competition recognizes truck technicians and promotes the career opportunities for this industry role. The competition showcases the skill and knowledge of trucking industry technicians and increases the visibility of available career opportunities.
“The work our industry’s technicians do is critical to keeping trucks on the road and moving America’s freight,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said. “Events like TMC’s National Technician Skills Competitions – TMCSuperTech – highlight not just that importance, but the proficiency of these highly skilled men and women.”
Last year, Eric Vos of FedEx Freight was honored as the TMCSuperTech2016 National Technicians Skills Competition Grand Champion for the second time in a row. Mark McLean Jr. and Stephen Weaver, both of FedEx Freight, finished second and third respectively. Matthew Adams of Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City was named TMCFutureTech2016.
Comprised of a broad collection of experienced fleets, equipment suppliers and service providers, TMC is the only industry association that is focused solely on truck technology and maintenance. Using their real world experience, members work together to create the industry’s best practices in truck technology and maintenance to help improve trucking equipment and transportation efficiencies throughout North America.
TMC is a technical council of American Trucking Associations (www.trucking.org) – the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.
Expanded Qualifying Round Skills
This year’s TMCSuperTech features an expanded qualifying round which includes, not only a written test, but also a series of hands-on skills challenges just like those featured in the final TMCSuperTech Hands-On Skills Challenge. Five additional skill stations were added since last year, including hydraulics, trailer lighting, drive belts, aftertreament and cybersecurity.
The contestant orientation and written qualifying exam will start on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Qualifying rounds will be held Sunday, Sept. 17 from 8 to 11:25 a.m., and then again from 12 to 4 p.m. Between 6:45 and 7:45 p.m., the finalists will be announced.
The Hands-On Skills Challenge Final Rounds will be held on Monday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The official start of the TMCFutureTech2017 National Student Technician Competition will take place Monday morning as well.
The winners of both competitions will be announced at an Awards Banquet held Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
How to Get Involved
Step 1 - Register
Any technician employed in the trucking industry may register for TMC’s National Technician Skills Competition, and must do so by Aug. 14 to be eligible to compete. The entry fee for TMC technician members is $250. The entry fee for non-member technicians is $350, and that includes TMC technician membership for the balance of 2017.
The entry fee is waived for verified champions of 2017 state trucking association technician skills contests.
More than 25 state organizations hold competitions at the state level. If your state trucking association or company is interested in holding its own preliminary SuperTech-styled event as a means of selecting finalists for the TMCSuperTech, refer to TMC’s How to Conduct a Technician Skills Competition brochure. It can be downloaded at http://tmc.trucking.org.
Step 2 - Come to Orlando
TMCSuperTech 2017, held in conjunction with TMC’s 2017 Fall Meeting, will take place from Sept. 16 to 21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. Competitors should plan to arrive on Saturday, Sept. 16 to receive their TMCSuperTech credentials, attend the contestant orientation and take the ASE-administered qualifying written test. This exam will take about 90 minutes to complete.
Step 3 - Compete in the Qualifying Rounds
All contestants will compete in qualifying rounds on Sunday, Sept. 17 starting at 8 a.m. These consist of several hands-on skills pre-qualification tests.
There will be a total of 17 skills stations in Sunday’s qualifying round. Each station, featuring table-top equipment mock-ups, will be divided into 10 substations. Each station rotation will last 25 minutes.
The 17 stations will be:
1. Lighting.
2. Fasteners.
3. RP (Recommended Practice) Manual.
4. Electrical Diagrams.
5. CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) Compliance.
6. Electrical.
7. Safety & Environmental.
8. Wheelend.
9. Torque.
10. Precision Measuring.
11. Coolants/DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fuel).
12. CNG Safety.
13. Hydraulics.
14. Trailer Lighting.
15. Drive Belts.
16. Aftertreatment.
17. Cybersecurity.
Step 4 - Attend the TMCSuperTech2017 Reception
After the qualifying rounds, it’s off to the TMCSuperTech2017 Welcome Reception at 6:45 p.m., at which time the names of the contestants who will compete in the finals on Monday, Sept. 18 will be announced.
A maximum number of contestants (the limit is tentative, subject to change, depending on available resources) will advance to compete in Monday’s Hands-On Skills Challenge.
Certified grand champions from state trucking association contests will be included in the Hands-On Skills Challenge automatically.
Step 5 - Compete in the finals
On Monday, Sept. 18 at 8 a.m., qualifying contestants will compete in the Hands-On Skill Challenge – a series of 15 stations divided into seven substations. At each station, 23 minutes is allotted. The 15 stations will be:
1. Brakes.
2. Wheelend No. 2.
3. Fifth Wheel.
4. Electrical No. 2.
5. Tire & Wheel.
6. Liftgates.
7. Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI).
8. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC).
9. Drivetrain.
10. Starting & Charging.
11. Service Information.
12. Vehicle Control Systems.
13. Steering & Suspension.
14. Engine (Electronics).
15. Engine (Hardware).
Lunch will be provided for all contestants, judges and other registered guests. Spectators are welcome on the competition floor.
Step 6 - Attend the Awards Banquet
The winners of the TMCFutureTech and TMCSuperTech will be announced at the 2017 Awards Banquet at 7:30 p.m. Awards for both competitions will be given for first, second and third best in the overall competition. Winners also will be named for those receiving the best score at each skills station.
The TMCSuperTech Grand Champion will be presented with a special trophy and his or her name will appear on the TMCSuperTech Grand Champion Banner that is displayed at every TMC meeting.
Second and third place TMCSuperTech winners also will receive trophies and prizes. Individuals who place Best in Skills Category will receive a special prize as well.
For more information on the competitions, visit http://tmc.trucking.org or call 703-838-1763.
