Training the Trailer Technicians of Tomorrow, Today

A Great Dane trailer technician stands in front of a trailer loading bay

This week is the inaugural National Technician Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating all of the men and women who keep our products on the road. Great Dane Aftermarket Certified Technicians attain a level of excellence that we’re proud to highlight, working from foundational knowledge to exceptional expertise.

Our training program is unique in our industry; it is the only training program offered by an original equipment trailer manufacturer that fulfills the accredited training design requirements of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Here are just some of the ways Great Dane’s ACT program is different.

What is the GDACT Program?

The Great Dane Aftermarket Certified Technician Program (GDACT/ACT) is designed for professional trailer technicians involved in the daily manufacture, maintenance, repair, and modification processes of flatbed, dry van, and refrigerated trailers, as well as refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies.

The ACT Program Sets Our Technicians Apart

ACT certification is singular in the industry. It has been approved by the ASE through CASE accreditation, a voluntary program for organizations that provide continuing education to working automotive technicians. This means that our ACT Program has been reviewed against established industry standards and has been approved by peers.

Our training materials, methods, and processes have been developed with integrity. This ensures our technicians are well-equipped to do much more than complete the work – our manufacturing, repair, and maintenance work is completed up to the highest standards.

Expertise, Excellence, and Aftermarket Certified Technicians

Great Dane’s ACT program provides extensive training that does more than simply validate knowledge and skills. The program has been developed with a robust structure, using skilled and experienced trainers and evaluators to guide the trainee. Technical skill sets are evaluated against established guidelines, ensuring consistency and a culture of excellence.

The ACT program contains three levels, each level requiring completion of a specialty or group of specialties in order to progress.

  • Technician: Requires completion of theory courses and practical training on-the-job.
  • Specialist: Requires completion of advanced theory courses and practical training-on-the-job for a specialty.
  • Master: Specialty certification in undercarriage and one other specialty area (refrigerated, dry van, or both).

Trailer Technicians are an Important Part of the Trailer Industry

We take a lot of pride in recognizing the achievements of our employees, and each ACT level comes with its own distinguishing mark — including uniform badges, ACT branded apparel, a certificate, and a plaque to be proudly displayed in the front office.

National Technician Appreciation Week is a great way to recognize these men and women for the hard work they do every day, and the level of excellence they’ve attained within the legacy of American craftsmanship. We wouldn’t be Great Dane without each and every one of our employees, and certified technicians are a crucial cornerstone of our business.

Interested in becoming a specialized trailer technician?
Start your career at Great Dane today!