I learned this business from my dad, who owned an independent forklift repair business for 40 years. He once was the lead mechanic at the local Hyster dealer. After they gave him the big screw (after 15 years of service), he decided to go out on his own- lucky for me he did.

I went to a local automotive training school- fully engaged in becoming an automotive tech. Only after my education was almost fully complete did I find that auto techs work flat rate- not an activity I was at all interested in doing. When I graduated I then started working for my dad's company, and, as they say, the rest is history.

I'm thankful I found this website- I learn so much from the discussions we all have- you never know when something discussed here will apply to a new issue. I can only hope that I help you guys in some way the way you help me.

I believe we are the best of the best- always trying to improve ourselves- for whatever the reason. I have noticed a trend with younger techs in our field (at least the ones I've spoken with directly)- they don't seem to want to learn the basics. They seem to know only the "plug & play" side of repairs, not really understanding what they're replacing or what purpose it serves. I think this understanding makes folks like us more valuable in the long run but the loss of this knowledge to the younger techs hurts the industry as a whole.

I was talking with a 27 year old tech the other day who's been in the business 2 years. His primary job as of now is basic PM's, belt changes & other light duty stuff. We were discussing how electronics have changed the game on serving lifts as of late. When I asserted that there is a need to know what different electronic sensors are & what their purpose is, he disagreed, saying that knowledge is not needed. When I pressed on why he felt this way his answer was the following: and I quote- "You don't want to know that stuff because then you'll look like you know what you're doing. And you certainly don't want to look like you know what you're doing because then you'll get all the BS work that no one else can fix, and who wants that".

I walked away shaking my head. He had no desire to learn anything, just plug the computer in & do whatever it tells him to. IMHO- this is just sad. I hope this isn't the direction our profession is taking only time will tell.