Heavy Equipment Technician Trainee Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Miami-Dade County (County) Internal Services Department (ISD), Fleet Management Division has 88 Heavy Equipment Technician (HET) positions that are assigned to work at one of six (6) County shops to provide ongoing repairs and maintenance to approximately 2,100 pieces of heavy equipment. The subcontracting of heavy truck repairs typically results in a lengthier downtime and a higher repair cost. As a result, the majority of the County’s heavy truck repairs are performed in-house by ISD staff on behalf of County departments. Despite the exceptional need for these repair services, ISD has experienced tremendous difficulty in obtaining qualified HET job applicants due to an industry-wide shortage of skilled heavy equipment technicians available in the market. Given the limited pool of experienced HETs, the County has decided to cultivate its own HETs through the creation of an innovative HET Trainee Program. This program was developed by the ISD Fleet Management Division with the support of AFSCME Local Union, the Human Resources Department, and the Miami-Dade County Public School System’s Automotive Vocational Program. Students who have successfully completed the Heavy Duty Truck program from an accredited vocational school may be placed into the Trainee program despite a lack of extensive work experience. The Trainee Program allows for the hiring of applicants, including County employees, into Trainee positions where they develop the requisite skills and knowledge to successfully perform HET job duties. Trainees complete the one (1) year program and undergo a structured, on-the-job training with a designated HET Trainer. Through the durations of the program, the Trainees complete courses on five (5) targeted skills and are required to pass both a written and hands on/performance test on each of the skills areas. As a result of the Trainee Program, the County expects to fill vacant HET positions while mitigating the impact of retirements and recruitment difficulties.