Think about the last time your engine needed maintenance. Or, when you wanted to be certain your fleet was operating at peak capacity. Perhaps, you needed help understanding what your equipment’s system fault codes mean.

You likely consulted with one of Caterpillar’s unsung heroes: a qualified dealer technician. They’re the backbone of our dealership network and bring a competitive edge to our customers’ businesses. 

Gone are the days when service technicians were only out in the dirt. These days, they’re working with 3D modeling, advanced technology and more.

Looking forward, however, there’s a growing labor gap between the number of skilled service technicians available and the number needed. Not just at Cat® dealers, but industry-wide even as in-house customer technicians.

“Globally, there is a tremendous demand for service technicians. Cat dealers need about 10,000 a year for current demand. And, over the next five years, that’s likely to increase to anywhere from 13,000 up to 16,000 yearly,” said Archie Lyons, Creative Director for Caterpillar Global Brands.

To help recruit and fill so many positions, Caterpillar is raising awareness of the importance of the service technician role within the industry. How? By incorporating them into the popular Cat Trials video series.

In the past, the Cat Trials showcased expert operators completing imaginative challenges that highlighted the power, versatility and precision of Cat machines. For instance, past trials have included a game of giant Jenga^®, a moving golf green on a Cat 793F and, most recently, an imaginative game of PAC-MAN™.

But this year, the team changed direction to focus on the human power of service technicians, who make Cat customers’ machines and engines run.

“This year, we shifted gears from machine demonstrations and operator skills to focus Cat Trial 10 on the importance of trained service technicians,” said Archie.

“We wanted to create something that demonstrated just how highly skilled these techs are to build interest in the technician career path. Meanwhile, we wanted to test their skills and endurance, two attributes our customers rely on when choosing Cat. The technicians were required to run a timed course and complete a series of challenges accurately related to their profession,” said Archie.

The course consisted of five main challenges; mechanical aptitude, problem-solving, the desire to learn, computer skills and a safety mindset. Each aligns with the qualities Caterpillar looks for when hiring its technicians. For example, to complete the mechanical aptitude challenge, technicians had to reference a 2D drawing with limited information, then create a 3D model of that drawing using an assortment of parts.

Eighteen technician contestants participated from across the US, including three women. “The goal is to showcase people who represent the types of candidates Caterpillar wants to recruit,” said Dawn Stage, part of the Technician Marketing Team for Caterpillar.

For those interested in becoming a Cat technician, there are a variety of pathways and resources. “One of our leading recruiting and training programs is Caterpillar’s own two-year, ThinkBIG,” Griffin Reome, Technician Growth Champion, shared.

“ThinkBIG is a network of colleges and dealer-supported programs that work together to teach promising technicians how to service Cat equipment and expertly leverage our cutting-edge diagnostic systems and tools. The programs combine classes with hands-on learning in the field and state-of-the-art labs.”

In conjunction with Cat Trial 10, an online technician hub was created to help proactively recruit and train the best and brightest technicians. The objective is to continue to supply qualified technicians to the global Cat dealer network and ensure customers receive unsurpassed service in the future.

Normally at this point, we’d tell you who won Cat Trial 10. But we think you should see it for yourself at www.cat.com/trial10.