I am a huge advocate for continuing education. I feel you can always learn more about the
job you are doing, no matter how long you have done it. I still learn things from customers, and I
love to see the ingenuity that comes out of equipment manager’s shops.
Unfortunately I don’t see many technicians with a formal
learning plan. When I hire a technician
in my shop I set them up on a plan with specific goals. I want them to strengthen their technical
skills, and feel good about what they are doing.
One big opportunity for technicians in our field is the
certificate program with the International Golf Course Equipment Managers
Association. IGCEMA has a wonderful
program that covers 6 specific areas.
They have study materials and opportunities for online testing that make
it easy to learn.
Hydraulic Troubleshooting
Electrical Troubleshooting
Internal Combustion Engines
Drivelines
Sprayer Troubleshooting
Cutting Units
I highly recommend this program to anyone working on turf equipment. Set up a timeline to complete the 6 tests to
help push you when other things may get in the way. I am confident enough in this testing
process that I require my technicians to complete these same tests.
Of course there are other options as well. I know Toro (as well as other manufactures)
puts on service classes to help train technicians, and there are also opportunities
at many of your local distributors. I
put on classes in both ND and MN this past year for our customers at MTI. Other options may be your local technical college. Is there a welding or engine class you could
learn from?
Whatever you choose, I suggest you make a thoughtful plan
and write it down. Put a realistic timeline
to it and push yourself to complete it.
If you want help putting together a plan like this reach out to me via
email – jim.king@mtidistributing.com
or Twitter - @TOROKING and I will be
happy to help you reach your goals. My
true goal for this blog is to help others who want to learn and better
themselves.
Plan your work, and work your plan.
