Dickinson Fleet Services (DFS) has launched a hands-on technology and professional development program in Indianapolis called FleeTec Academy. The initiative is designed for motivated and talented people with little to no prior mechanical experience who want to become industry-certified technicians.

Technician candidates participate in an in-residence educational program designed to establish foundational mechanical skills. This is followed by an internship and extended educational work at one of DFS’s service centers or field service locations for the development of advanced skills.

After completing the program, the technicians begin working for the independent fleet maintenance and repair provider.

“We are reaching beyond the rising shortage of available skilled talent in our industry and are fueling our future growth with the creation of the FleeTec Academy, which will bring in a new stream of talent,” DFS Vice President Steve Ginn said in a Sept. 17 announcement. “There is an untapped population of extremely capable men and women who are highly motivated to pursue a mechanical service technology career but who have just not been able to overcome the typical barriers to entry, most notably time and money.”

According to DFS, FleeTec candidates are paid competitive wages throughout the program, including coverage of all expenses, and are provided with a set of tools.

In related news, DFS has acquired A1 Diesel Service of Hendersonville, TN. This marks Dickinson’s ninth acquisition since 2017 and its third so far in 2019. The move complements the more than 20 mobile service units currently operating in the Nashville area, according to DFS.

DFS provides mobile on-site maintenance and repair services for light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers with more than 500 mobile units operating nationwide. The company also has 23 maintenance facilities that offer such work as accident repair, paint, refurbishment and dedicated technician services.