Train for a Career That’s In-Demand: Advice From a Diesel Employer
"This industry is just filled with opportunities that technicians don’t typically associate with their abilities as a mechanic."
Our industry relationships with employers like Bryce Greider at Crown Lift Trucks provide opportunities to both our students and the field. As a regional recruiter, Bryce is responsible for finding qualified technicians who would fit well in the industries they service to come work for Crown Lift.
With 76 branches nationwide, there's no shortage of opportunities for those looking to make their mark as a technician at Crown Lift, and that’s just the start. Bryce himself began as a field service technician, traveling to customer locations and servicing equipment onsite. "We're looking for technicians to come on and do the exact same thing," he says. 1
Prior to his current position, Bryce received a promotion to field service manager where he led a team of up to 15 people, all servicing customer locations. With this, he was able to gain first-hand exposure and experience to all that the trades have to offer. "There are many paths you can take within this industry be it with Crown or any company you decide to go to," Bryce advises. “The industry is filled with opportunities that technicians don't typically associate with their abilities as a mechanic.”
Technicians with good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with customers are highly sought after. It's not just about technical abilities, but also the ability to service customer equipment efficiently and prevent downtime and costly breakdowns.
Bryce has recruited graduates from our programs and shares that it has “been a wonderful experience for me because they have so many programs that cross over directly to the aspects we’re looking for in technicians.” From our wind and energy programs to our aviation programs and even the robotics & automation program – Bryce continues to be impressed by the caliber of students that complete these programs.
Besides formal training and communication skills, he emphasizes the significance of staying current with technological changes. “It is very important for technicians to keep up with the changes in technology that are happening every day,” Bryce states.
From what he’s seen, graduates who complete a training program prior to entering the industry can not only set themselves above those without technical training, but they also have the potential to excel and advance as they gain experience.6
One of the major benefits Crown offers is a tuition reimbursement program for technicians hired within the first year of graduating. He explains, “So technicians that come to work for us within the first year of graduating from school get a certain amount paid back to them so they can pay off their student loans.”14This could help qualifying technicians at Crown to join the workforce in a much more financially stable situation.
Bryce's advice for those looking to join the industry? Pay attention to the little details and learn everything you can from your instructors. “They've been in the industry longer than any of us can imagine and so they are passing along the knowledge that you need,” he encourages.
He also has a message for parents whose students are considering a trade school, “We’re growing at a rate more quickly than we had ever imagined. For Crown specifically, Bryce says the demand is higher now than ever and they're actively growing their technician base nationwide.