You said sales rep didnt you? The discussion was concerning technicians. I also know alot of reps that have minimal or no mechanical or forktruck background. Having a material handling or mechanical background is a plus when being a rep but is not a requirement. Most major dealerships that i know look for someone with a mechanical background when hiring, whether it's automotive, or diesel. I havent seen a major dealer hire someone straight out of high school and train them from the ground up, not to say it has not happened, i just have not seen it.
When a dealer is looking for a tech they need someone that can jump in with minimal supervision and needs minimal training, that the way that i have seen it work with most of the dealers in Chicago.