UniCarriers Americas announces Jason Dorsey of Western Carolina Forklift as its first to achieve master technician certification. UniCarriers University, formerly the University of Nissan Forklift, launched in January of 2012, is a state-of-the-art educational platform that enables UniCarriers Americas Corporation’s service technicians to rank among the most highly skilled and knowledgeable material handling equipment representatives in the industry. Students complete requirements of each level, apprentice, journeyman and master technician, with each successive level requiring more education and additional responsibilities. Students advance at their own pace, through a mixture of online training and classroom instruction.

Dorsey, who was also the first certified journeyman through the UniCarriers University, has been working on forklifts for more than a decade. “I’ve been with Western Carolina Forklift for three years and I’ve been working on forklifts since 1998, although I took a short break for a while and worked on cars,” said Jason Dorsey, master technician. “I got involved in the UniCarriers University, College of Technical Service in 2012 as soon as it was launched.”

Achieving master technician status requires completion of 20 online and classroom courses. This is a rigorous schedule for full-time technicians. Average expectation of completion is three to four years, making Dorsey’s accelerated pace for completing the levels in less than two years impressive.

“Jason has earned the respect and recognition of becoming part of an elite group of technicians,” said Dan Domberg, vice president aftermarket and customer satisfaction, UniCarriers Americas, “Receiving master technician status in under two years indicates Jason’s dedication to the program and that he understands the value it brings to him on a personal level as well as to his dealership.”

Dorsey explained that a corporate trainer introduced him to UniCarriers University. Western Carolina Forklift supported his participation in the program and his advancement through it at an accelerated rate.

Achieving master technician status benefits both the technician and the dealer. Above and beyond personal satisfaction, the technician benefits from the professionalism and job security it brings. Dealers benefit from qualified, trained technicians who help limit warranty costs, keep customers satisfied and influence account development and retention.

“There were some technical aspects of the Platinum series of lift trucks that I wasn’t knowledgeable about since I was new to the brand,” continued Dorsey. “The training program took me step-by-step through the material so that after the very first class, I knew everything I needed to know about them, which helped me do my job even better. The knowledge and skills that I gained on the Platinum models were especially valuable because we have a customer with 15 Platinum forklifts that we service.

“I appreciated the opportunity to advance quickly through the program. When I was at the in-person training courses, I also completed online courses in my free time. I encourage everyone in the program to do as much of the e-learning in advance as they can, so that they will never feel lost in the live classes,” explained Dorsey. “All of the model-specific training is comprehensive, enabling technicians to diagnose and repair each lift truck, from major engine and transmission maintenance all the way to replacing brake light bulbs and greasing fittings.”

Dorsey appreciated the smaller class size and personal communication with trainers, describing the experience and professionalism of trainers as the most valuable aspects of the program.

UniCarriers Americas provides technicians with rewards as they complete each certification level, to recognize the dedication, time and hard work that each technician contributes to the program. Dorsey selected a DeWalt® 18-volt drill driver kit when he achieved journeyman status, and a Kindle® Fire, when he achieved master technician status.

“Everyone at Western Carolina Forklift is very proud of Jason for being the first master technician in the United States,” said David Hayes, dealer principal at Western Carolina Forklift. “This honor is the highest level of achievement a technician can earn at UniCarriers University, College of Technical Service.”

“I’ve completed several different service school training programs for both cars and forklifts and this is the best program I’ve ever seen for training. When I finished the course, Ed McCoy, technical service trainer from UniCarriers Americas, personally delivered my certification which was a very nice recognition of my achievement. I’m thankful to both UniCarriers Americas for the program and Western Carolina Forklift for supporting me through it!” concluded Dorsey.