The Tire Industry Association is moving ahead with plans to create a training program dedicated to earthmover and other OTR tires.
"Our goal is to create one program recognized by both the tire industry and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)," says Kevin Rohlwing, TIA's senior vice president of education and technical services.
The Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) program will follow the same "train the trainer" model that TIA uses in its Commercial Tire Service and Automotive Tire Service programs.
"We'll have different levels of training," says Rohlwing:
1. Basic ETS, which will teach "minimum skills for techs." It will consist of a self-study program that can be conducted in-house for training documentation purposes;
2. Certified ETS, a hands-on, advanced level course "where techs must demonstrate their ability to service tires and wheels. It will include a proctored exam developed by industry experts."
TIA will begin talking with OTR tire manufacturers in 2004 to hash out a preliminary course, which will then be reviewed by MSHA officials.
Program development also will include focus groups made up of OTR tire dealers "so the needs of the industry will be addressed," says Rohlwing.
