GE forms Trailer Mechanic University

The Trucker News Services

11/17/2006

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GE has formed Trailer Mechanic University, an internal training program intended to attract and retain qualified trailer mechanics to serve the trucking industry, the company said during an announcement here at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition.

Instructors will include both in-house experts and trainers from leading trailer manufacturers and major sub-component firms, GE said.  Agreements have already been reached with Carlisle Motion Controls Inc., Michelin, Trucklite and ArvinMeritor to be part of the training program.

GE's Trailer Mechanic University will offer classes exclusively to employees of Trailer Fleet Services through a combination of on-site and Web-based instruction.  Upon completion, students will become “GE-certified,” enabling them to advance their career and earning potential in GE as a trailer mechanic.  

“Trucking companies know how much the shortage of truck drivers can affect the bottom line,”  Siva Balakrishnan, senior vice president of Operations at GE’s Trailer Fleet Services business, said. “With three times as many trailers as tractors out on the road, it’s just as important to have qualified mechanics to keep cargo moving safely and on schedule.”

GE’s Trailer Fleet Services has 100 branches across North America and manages more than 200 Mobile Maintenance Service vans, with mechanics performing repairs and collecting maintenance data at customer sites on both leased and customer-owned trailers.

Last year GE mechanics inspected a quarter of million trailers and made nearly a half-million distinct repairs. 

Balakrishnan said the company launched a comprehensive recruiting effort this summer to attract new mechanics, and the formation of GE Trailer Mechanic University is intended to give continuous training to both new and existing mechanics.

— The Trucker Staff