Discussion:
Technician Training

What training does your OEM require for service technicians? Seems heavy equipment, automotive etc. are years ahead in technician requirements.
  • Posted 7 Feb 2019 03:33
  • By JBYRD
  • joined 2 Nov'12 - 20 messages
  • tx, -
Showing items 1 - 6 of 6 results.
Toyota USA has a complete training schedule for it's dealer techs. Starts with basic PM training, mast overhaul, general products and engines, electrical systems and theory and so on. It covers their whole line of products with 3 levels of certification. To get to their gold level, you have to work for a Toyota dealer for a minimum of 5 years.
An excellent system.
  • Posted 21 Mar 2019 23:06
  • By ramon_m
  • joined 30 May'14 - 42 messages
  • Ontario, Canada
Perseverence is a virtue.
Makes sense. lately I have seen a lot of OEM advertising that their dealers have x number of certified technicians. I am curious what constitutes a certified tech
  • Posted 8 Feb 2019 00:28
  • By JBYRD
  • joined 2 Nov'12 - 20 messages
  • tx, -
There is a lot of pre training required before you can take a specific model class. I am certified an all models except 2. I probably have 200 hours of class time plus hands on. I have been doing this for a long time. Times are changing, Some of our new hires have little experience so we have developed basic classes. These people will require at least 40-80 hours of basics before they start on the certification path. This does not include the hands on training during their first 6 weeks.
  • Posted 8 Feb 2019 00:21
  • By BREWSKI
  • joined 10 Jan'12 - 1,699 messages
  • Nebraska, United States
some classes are 3 days, it depends on the model and level you are learning. The more advanced classes take a week.
I took the I3 class that covered all electric models that had that system in it, that was a week long class and the test took several hours, part of it was hands on and the rest was online.
The hands on part i think was our trainers way of verifying you knew what you learned.

To get trained on all models it would take quite a while ;o)
Generally the dealership determines which classes they want you to take depending on the trucks in your customer base. No need to take classes on trucks you don't work on (their thinking not mine).
If i had my way i'd take em all ;o)
  • Posted 7 Feb 2019 18:06
  • Modified 7 Feb 2019 18:08 by poster
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,692 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
Thanks for the feedback. So only 3 days certifies a technician as a "factory certified" tech? or is that just a model specific course?
  • Posted 7 Feb 2019 08:06
  • By JBYRD
  • joined 2 Nov'12 - 20 messages
  • tx, -
I answered this question once. It depends on the OEM and the dealership you work for. Hyster/Yale has certifications for all model groups. You have to attend a 3 day class and then complete a online exam. There are multiple layers of certifications that require additional training modules to be completed. this is a lot like automotive certification.
  • Posted 7 Feb 2019 04:46
  • By BREWSKI
  • joined 10 Jan'12 - 1,699 messages
  • Nebraska, United States

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Fact of the week
Brothers Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf ("Rudi") Dassler split their shoe company after WWII due to a bitter feud, and established the rival companies of Adidas and Puma. Their personal animosity and business rivalry divided their German hometown Herzogenaurach. The town became known as "the town of bent necks" due to the intense loyalty to each brand.
Global Industry News
edition #1251 - 9 October 2025
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , hydrogen power is a theme as we report on the US marking its 10th annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, an initiative to promote the benefits of the clean energy source... Continue reading
Upcoming industry events …
October 14-16, 2025 - Antwerp, Austria
October 15-17, 2025 - Bangkok, Thailand
November 17-19, 2026 - Luanda, Angola
Fact of the week
Brothers Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf ("Rudi") Dassler split their shoe company after WWII due to a bitter feud, and established the rival companies of Adidas and Puma. Their personal animosity and business rivalry divided their German hometown Herzogenaurach. The town became known as "the town of bent necks" due to the intense loyalty to each brand.