In an independent recruitment survey, external training was cited as one of employees most preferred incentives for staying with a company. MCI

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is introducing a driver training program to help answer the industry’s shortage of qualified drivers. Part of the ASE-accredited MCI Academy, the Motorcoach Operator Certificate Program is a graduated sequence of online training courses on safety, federal regulations, and coach systems, geared to meet the needs of both new and experienced drivers and enable career advancement.

In an independent recruitment survey, external training was cited as one of employees most preferred incentives for staying with a company. It can also incentivize job seekers to apply because of the potential to advance their career.

MCI Academy’s program is online, free of charge, and spans all skill levels. The program is designed around 4 levels of training. Levels 3-1 include eight hours of training per level with coursework taught via video and PowerPoint narratives. The 4th level is a Master level certificate for the most experienced coach operator.

The Level 3 Certificate helps prepare entry-level drivers to meet new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) application. Mid-career drivers benefit by Level 2 and 1 coursework designed to improve road safety and coach system knowledge. There is also Master Level coursework for drivers who complete the three levels of certification.

“The beauty of the program is that drivers can complete their training while waiting for their groups or during their off hours from any location via laptop or mobile device,” said Scott Crawford, MCI training manager.

The new program completed a soft rollout with nearly 100 drivers earning a Level 3 certificate and six achieving a Master certificate.

Participants in the MCI Academy Motorcoach Operator program complete their certificate training in this order:

• Level 3 drivers receive basic instruction covering FMCSA theory training, safe driving habits, passenger safety, hours of service rules, and several of insurance leader Lancer presentations.

• Level 2 improves driver skills, covering turns, highway and city driving hazards along with EDL use and roadside enforcement.

• Level 1 teaches drivers how braking and safety systems work such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including Collision Avoidance and Fire Suppression and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems and covers weather-related and fuel economy driving behaviors.

Master Level coursework covers driver knowledge on major coach systems from engines to HVAC, trouble-shooting skills, and communication with service shop personnel.

The program also helps tour, charter, employer shuttle programs, and limousine operators recruit and develop driver talent from outside the motorcoach industry for well-paying jobs with a future, said Crawford, noting LMS training account records are never deleted and are available to employers throughout a driver’s career.