School Bus Maintenance Contest at Michelin

Michelin North America will host the US National School Bus Maintenance Competition. Co-sponsored by the National Association of Pupil Transport (NAPT) and the South Carolina Department of Education, the 23-25 September event will be held at MNA’s training center in Donaldson, South Carolina.

For the event, top school bus technicians and inspectors from across the country will meet to determine America’s Best Technician and America’s Best Inspector. Participants will vie in the two separate competitions: one for technical diagnostic skills and one for vehicle inspections skills.

Each of these individual competitions will include a written examination and multiple hands-on components. The exam will cover technical aspects of various school bus components, including electrical systems, brakes, engines, suspensions, drive trains and body systems. All topics will be relative to actual school bus applications, and the exam was prepared and will be administered by The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

During the second portion of the competition, technicians must demonstrate the ability to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair various mechanical components. Competitors will rotate through three diagnostic stations, which will involve an actual vehicle and a bench test situation. Inspectors will rotate through three stations requiring them to inspect all vehicle components and systems to identify defects. (Tire Review)