Truck fleets expect a lot today from their mechanics--they really must be more skilled, more knowledgeable, and more resourceful than ever before to cope with the modern, sophisticated vehicles and their special equipment. In other words, the mechanic today has graduated to a new level--that of a technician.
Opportunities for the Mechanically Inclined
For young men who are mechanically inclined and who have worked on every kind of personal transportation vehicle from a motorized bike to a scooter, to a motorcycle, to their own customized car, there can be not only a satisfying future career, but a real opportunity by starting with a large truck fleet as a mechanic.
Being a good truck mechanic today and tomorrow will require special knowledge never thought of by those who entered the field years ago.
For example, young men interested in the field must first gain formal experience by taking high school or vocational school courses in automotive repair. A good mechanic must know a lot about electricity and the theories behind it, hydraulics, engineering as it applies to vehicles, and chemistry, since this is involved in engine operation, carburetion, etc. Courses are also available in diesel repair, and, of course, there is the practical experience to be gained through automobile repair work in a gasoline station, in the armed forces, or working at home on automobiles as a hobby.
Employers are most interested in young men with that kind of background and with other evidences of mechanical aptitude. They must, of course, be at least 18 years of age, in good physical shape, and alert and able to learn. A high school education is almost a must, and, of course, if driving a truck is required, it may mean a minimum age of 21 to obtain a state chauffeur's license.
Basic Standards Must Be Met By Applicants
Many fleets, before they will hire anyone for shop work, require that they meet certain basic standards and pass their personnel department requirements.
Some fleets use a "Job Employee Questionnaire." This becomes part of their employee personnel file, and the answers an applicant gives are checked against the standards set by the company. Often answers give clues to expected future performance. Questions include previous education, special automotive classes attended, how much the applicant has learned by "picking it up," how many years of mechanical experience he has had, his experience on cars and on various kinds of trucks, what types of trucks and buses he can drive. Does he have a commercial driver's license? Does he have a complete set of mechanic's tools? Does he read automotive magazines regularly? Has he ever been bonded or refused bond? What are his hobbies? Who have his employers been for at least the past five years?
Other questions concern ownership of a home, furniture, car, life insurance, and health and accident record, as well as "How long did he stay on his last job? Is he a job hopper? Does he progress to better jobs or just go on to other jobs? Does he stick to one line of work?"
"Mechanic Experience Questionnaire" Often Used
Other fleets also use a "Mechanic Experience Questionnaire." This asks him to check his experience on various kinds of vehicles and on various operations or units of a vehicle. He is also asked to tell of his experience in the repair or overhauling of various units as well as his experience in grinding, finishing, spot cleaning, for example, and also his experience in the use of various kinds of shop equipment.
If you are seeking a mechanic's job, with its potential for higher and higher pay and a chance to rise in the organization to foreman, to service manager, to maintenance manager, you must know or be willing to learn, and have leadership and teaching ability potentials.
Many Job Possibilities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a substantial positive outlook is foreseen for employment of thousands of good truck mechanics each year in this decade as a result of significant increases in transportation of freight by trucks.
"More trucks will be needed for both local and intercity hauling as a result of increased industrial activity, continued decentralization of industry, and the continued movement of the population to the suburbs," says a U.S. Department of Labor publication. "In addition to the job openings expected to occur as a result of employment growth, about 1500 openings will occur annually because of job vacancies resulting from deaths and retirements. Opportunities to enter this occupation will also occur as some mechanics transfer to other lines of work."
From Starter to Top Man
A young man entering a fleet maintenance and repair shop usually starts on minor jobs until his abilities are recognized, and he has gained experience and knowledge informally on the job. First, as vacancies become available, he may become a mechanic's helper, and that could happen immediately if an applicant has previous automotive experience. As a new employee handles increasingly difficult jobs satisfactorily and proves his ability, he is given more and more responsibility. It has been said that generally about three to four years of on-the-job experience is necessary before a man qualifies as an able truck or bus mechanic.
Many truck manufacturers have special schools to which an employer will send men on the rise for special mechanical training or to obtain particular types of knowledge on new equipment, diagnosing engine troubles, brake maintenance, hydraulic repairs, etc.
Preventive Maintenance Requires Mechanics
Because fleets all over the country seek longer life for their vehicles, lower maintenance costs, absence of vehicle road failures, reduced accidents, less downtime in the shop, fewer vehicle delays in deliveries, etc., they set up a preventive maintenance program even before a new vehicle is put into service.
In order to maintain their vehicle in a low-cost, efficient status, they require good mechanics, not only with maintenance knowhow, but knowledge of why. The mechanic has to know the how and why of diagnosing trouble with any one of the hundreds of parts-how to take them apart, put them together again, what went into the making of each part, how it operates, what makes it wear.
So you can see that today's "mechanic" must be a highly skilled, knowledgeable technician. Because he deals with vehicles worth thousands of dollars, which often haul cargoes of tremendous value on split-second schedules, the rewards to him for good work are high and moving up. Fleet management recognizes the importance of preventive maintenance and repairs and the tremendous savings available to the company if these jobs are done efficiently.
Top management men are conscious of the fact that the best mechanics cannot perform with 100 percent efficiency unless their tools and equipment are modem and adequate, the repair shop is properly laid out, there is correct lighting and necessary drainage, as well as a good exhaust system for engine fumes. It goes without saying that such fleets see that their men have the best possible supervision and the best tools to work with.
Rewards
If you have leadership or supervisory abilities, you can well advance to shop foreman, service manager, or later on, director of maintenance.
