DES PLAINES, Ill. — After nearly two decades helping motorcoach technicians solve problems in the field, Joel Aguirre is taking those lessons into the classroom.
Motor Coach Industries has appointed Aguirre as an MCI Academy trainer, where the longtime technical service manager will help technicians develop the skills needed to diagnose, maintain and repair increasingly sophisticated motorcoaches.
Aguirre has spent 14 years as an MCI technical service manager, working directly with customers and service teams to troubleshoot complex issues. He began his MCI career as a service center technician after completing trade school and gaining experience in the heavy-duty vehicle industry.
Now, he says he sees an opportunity to pass along what he has learned.
“I enjoy the challenges we work through together, the knowledge we gain, and then being able to pass that knowledge on to others,” Aguirre said. “Going through MCI Academy myself and seeing how technicians developed new skills and applied them in the field inspired me to move into training.”
Scott Crawford, who leads MCI Academy, says Aguirre’s combination of technical expertise and experience working with customers made him a good fit for the training role.
“Joel brings deep technical knowledge of the MCI product, outstanding communication skills, and a strong ability to work with customers,” Crawford said. “He recently completed the MCI Academy Master Technician program and ranked at the top of every class.”
As a technical service manager, Aguirre developed a reputation for not only solving technical issues but also helping technicians understand their causes. He says that field experience will help him connect classroom instruction with situations technicians encounter in motorcoach maintenance facilities.
“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges technicians face and can help connect classroom learning to real-world situations,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre believes technicians increasingly need problem-solving skills, adaptability, attention to detail and a commitment to continued learning as motorcoach technology evolves.
Value of training
For motorcoach operators, Crawford says investing in technician knowledge can have a direct impact on fleet performance and operating costs.
“Proper technical knowledge directly impacts uptime, reliability, and profitability,” he said. “Training helps technicians avoid unnecessary repairs, reduce downtime, and make better maintenance decisions.”
MCI Academy combines classroom and hands-on training designed to develop technicians’ skills in maintaining, diagnosing and repairing motorcoaches. The Automotive Service Excellence-accredited program also provides a path for technicians to continue developing their skills as vehicle technology changes.
For Aguirre, the move into training builds on a part of his technical service career he has found particularly rewarding: helping other technicians become better at their jobs.
“The best feedback I’ve received is when a technician pulls me aside and says, ‘Thank you for being there. I’ve become a better technician because of the knowledge and support you provided,’” he said.
MCI is a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. and manufactures the J Series and D Series motorcoaches. The company also provides maintenance, repair, 24-hour roadside assistance, parts and technician training.
