Home

Forsyth Tech transportation student wins national competition

Nov. 6, 2015

Daniel Hanna won first place in the American Trucking Associations’ 2015 Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) national student technician Competition, TMC FutureTech 2015, held in Orlando, Fla., recently.

On Nov. 4, WheelTime and Forsyth Tech held an award ceremony for Daniel Hanna and Cody Styers.

Forsyth Tech transportation technology student Daniel Hanna won first place in the American Trucking Associations’ 2015 Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) national student technician Competition, TMC FutureTech 2015, held in Orlando, Fla., recently. The Greensboro-based WheelTime Network, North America’s largest dedicated service and parts network for quality vehicle care, sponsored Hanna, along with four other Forsyth Tech students.

Hanna competed against students from tech schools around the country, including Wyoming Tech, Lincoln Tech and Mid Florida Tech as well as other Forsyth Tech classmates, including Cody Styers who placed sixth overall in the competition. This is the second year of the FutureTech competition and is part of an industry-wide initiative to attract a new generation of technician to the field. On the day of the competition, Hanna was tested at skills stations involving electrical, lighting systems, torque fasteners, drive belts and wheel end. At the end of the day, Hanna had the highest overall score.“Competitions are an intense format for learning and accelerating skills needed to work in high performance teams. Maintenance shops are team-based environments where techs must work together efficiently and, most importantly, where services are done right the first time with as few come-backs as possible,” said Mike Delaney, president and CEO of WheelTime. “FutureTech gives these students a chance to experience that professional work team environment. It also serves as a tremendous motivational tool for these students to continue excelling in their classes, and their future careers.”During an award ceremony that took place at Forsyth Technical Community College on Nov. 4, Hanna was presented with several prizes from companies such as, Cornwell Quality Tools, Mac Tools and PEAK Commercial and Industrial Products to congratulate him on his win. The school was awarded tools and equipment for the diesel shop program, including an Eaton Fuller Reman transmission and a new PowerSmoke Pro tool from Redline.“The next generation of tech has a distinct advantage thanks to growing up with video games and smart technologies,” said Delaney. “Providing them with access to competitions, like FutureTech, will help them build confidence as well as proficiency in the application of diagnostic as well as mechanical skills to solve real-world vehicle maintenance and repair problems. When your goal is to keep vehicles moving and loaded, comprehensive skills are critical to repair quality and speed.”“We couldn’t be more proud of Daniel and Cody,” said Alan Doub, Forsyth Tech’s program coordinator for heavy equipment and transportation technology. “Their high performance at the national level speaks to their talent and skill as technicians. We are grateful for WheelTime’s support of and commitment to our students.”