Getting Ready for SuperTech 2014!

Getting Ready for SuperTech 2014!

10th Anniversary of the ATA’s National Technician Skills Competition

As we get closer to the fall, Mitchell 1 and heavy-duty truck technicians look forward to the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council’s National Technician Skills Competition. That’s a long way of saying the SuperTech competition, this year being held Sept. 22-25 in Orlando, Florida.

Technicians from all over the country will vie for the title of SuperTech Champion. This title can only be won by taking a grueling two-day exam covering almost every facet of mechanical ability and knowledge. Techs will have to solve diagnostic problems, or show the correct way to perform a mechanical repair or  maintenance procedure.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event. Mitchell 1 has been a sponsor of the event since the very beginning, running the Service Information skills station that tests competitors on their ability to use computers and Web-based programs to diagnose and fix vehicles properly. Mitchell 1 employees will be there again this year overseeing the station where techs demonstrate their ability to look up electronic service information on a PC and answer a series of questions developed by commercial vehicle team at Mitchell 1.

Many states hold a preliminary event and send only the most qualified technicians to the national finals. The competition starts with a written test which qualifies contestants for the second round. Only the highest-scoring techs will make it into day two. Then techs must navigate through 14 stations consisting of general mechanical knowledge, mechanical ability, and diagnostic skills.

Technicians not participating in the final testing can bolster their skills by attending some of the 15 educational sessions offered at the Technician Training Fair organized by the Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC).

  • Click to read more about the 2014 TMC SuperTech event
  • Click to read more about Mitchell 1’s solutions for Class 4-8 Trucks
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About the Author

Dan Kincaid

Dan Kincaid spent nearly 27 years as a dealership technician. He is an ASE Master Technician in automotive, school bus, medium/heavy truck and truck equipment, and A/C certified by both ASE and ESCO Institute. He joined Mitchell 1 in 2001 and is currently a Sr. Technical Editor with the Commercial Vehicle Group.