Four Star Freightliner opens diesel technician training center

Four Star Freightliner, Inc. has completed construction on a 6,500 square-foot training center for diesel technicians. The facility, located in Dothan, Ala., features a drive-through bay and two classrooms with state-of-the-art training equipment.

Daimler Trucks of North America has partnered with Four Star Freightliner to provide the latest training aids so technicians can gain hands-on experience. This will allow them to provide customers with quick and accurate diagnosis and faster repairs in order to get them out of the shop and back on the road.

"The training aids cover every aspect of the truck," said David Carroll, Four Star Freightliner Training Manager. "They range from clutch and brake simulators to dash assemblies for four different truck models. There are also tear down and running engines with after treatment systems on training stands."

Freightliner and Western Star dealer technicians travel from across the country to become part of the classes offered at the training center. The trainers will take a system certified technician through the process of becoming a professional certified technician, and later the opportunity to become an expert-certified technician.

The training center represents a $300,000 investment in the Dothan, Ala. facility. Dothan was the first of seven locations that Jerry Kocan opened back in 2000. He now operates truck dealerships in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

"We get to come reinvest where our roots started," said Kocan. "Over the next year or so we're going to invest more in this facility to bring it up to the standards of our other locations."

Carroll is the Four Star Freightliner Training Manager while Chuck Curles serves as the Dealer Trainer. David has been in the diesel technology industry for nearly 30 years and has worked for Four Star Freightliner for 20 years. Last year, Chuck Curles was promoted from diesel technician to Dealer Trainer. He has 20 years experience in this industry.