RYDER TOP TECHNICIAN
RECOGNITION PROGRAM
By Erica Schueller, Editor-in-Chief
“The Ryder Top Technician Recognition Program
is an annual program designed to identify, recognize
and award Ryder’s best technicians across
the organization,” Bill Dawson, Ryder System
VP of Maintenance and Engineering, says.
Ryder is a commercial fleet management,
dedicated transportation and
supply chain solutions company.
The 16th annual Ryder Top Technician
Recognition Program was held in Nashville
this year. For the first time this year, Ryder
United Kingdom held its own Top Technician
Recognition Program, joining this year’s
U.S. finalists for the championship.
“Our 5,000-plus technicians are valued keys to
the company’s overall success,” Dawson says.
“We wanted to both recognize and shine a light
on the knowledge and skills our technicians
use every day to service our customers.”
In order to run a successful skills competition,
Dawson says it is imperative to evaluate
and understand the goals of the company,
and to include all levels of the organization
with the process, including leadership.
The company-wide event is managed by
Ryder System’s Maintenance Learning and
Development Team, chaired by Dawson.
All Ryder System technicians are eligible
to participate, so long as they meet
a pre-determined set of requirements
by the end of the previous year.
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20 Fleet Maintenance | November/December 2017
“The competitors go through four stages of
testing over six months, with increasing levels
of difficulty,” Dawson explains. “Top scorers
are chosen at each level to proceed to the
next level. The third level is the first hands-on
competition and is held in six different locations
across the country for the top 60 scorers.”
Winners from each of the six locations
are sent to the championship round. The
championship round includes 10 hands-on
tests covering categories such as vehicle
electronics or preventative maintenance.
The first-place winner receives a cash prize
of $50,000 and title of “Top Tech” for the year.
Finalists also receive cash prizes and recognition.
“The final competition consists of 10 rigorous,
hands-on skill tests,” Dawson says. “The title of
“Top Tech,” along with a cash prize, is awarded
to the first-place winner. All finalists receive
cash prizes for their exemplary performance.”
“We have noticed a boost in morale among our
technicians and an overall engagement boost
among employees in roles not directly connected
to technicians,” Dawson adds. “It is truly an
“All Ryder” event that spreads pride across the
organization. We’re able to showcase that we
have the best technicians in the industry.”
» A technician reviews the criteria at his
hands-on station during the 2017 Ryder
Top Technician Recognition Program.
Photo courtesy of Ryder System
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