Cars and trucks are not the only vehicles to reap the benefits of alternative fuels. The material handling industry also utilizes these technologies but faces a shortage of skilled alternative fuel technicians.
Jaime Gonzalez, Advanced Transportation and Logistics Regional Director of Employer Engagement for Orange County, recently organized a job fair at Crown Lift Trucks, Long Beach. The New Bremen, Ohio-based business is one of the largest manufacturers of electric and alternative fuel forklifts in the world.
The company offers a training program that includes both classroom and hands-on instruction.
Integrating that training with community college instruction will give students the credentials they need to advance in the field and go on to pursue additional educational opportunities.
“The outcome of this job fair was a partnership between Santa Ana College and Crown Lift Trucks to develop a for-credit Forklift Maintenance Certificate of Achievement for new technician training,” Gonzalez said. “This partnership is pending corporate approval from Crown Lift Trucks.”
Once approved, the Forklift Maintenance Certificate of Achievement will be offered by Santa Ana College and will include courses in electrical systems, engine repair, and alternative fuels. Crown Lift Trucks will provide tuition reimbursement to its employees.
Crown Lift Trucks has been partnering with many local colleges throughout California, including Cerritos College, Santa Ana College, Citrus College and many more.
“We love to hire students graduating from Automotive, Diesel or Ag programs that teach them how to work on various types of equipment,” said Roy Kobayashi, Regional Recruiter Supervisor for Crown Equipment Corporation. “Since we have our own five-week paid training program, we’re able to take any skill sets learned through an Auto, Diesel or Ag program and help them transition over to forklifts. There are some similarities between cars, trucks, ag equipment and forklifts.”
Crown Lift Trucks offers students opportunities for a long-term career with excellent pay, benefits and advancement within the company. For more information about this partnership in Orange County, contact Jaime Gonzalez at ocdsn.atl@outlook.com.
