Stihl Recognizes 1,000th Gold Level Service Technician

Stihl Inc., at its Virginia Beach, Va., factory training center Aug. 15, certified its 1,000th Gold dealer service technician, Monte Gens of Monte’s Small Engine in Fredonia, N.Y. Gold level training is the third step in the Stihl technical education program that certifies Stihl service technicians. Technicians participating in this training provide service for the company’s product line at dealerships across the nation.

“Stihl-certified service technicians are ‘factory trained’ in the diagnosis of running problems, failure analysis, and quick and reliable repair,” said Randy Scully, product service manager for Stihl Inc. “A Gold Level technician has demonstrated both the knowledge and the skills to handle challenging service situations, including carburetor operation and service, failure analysis, and maintenance and service of Stihl products.”

The Gold Level training builds on Stihl’s Silver and Bronze courses. The Bronze course is available to Stihl dealers through the secure Stihl iCademy online learning Web site, so technicians and employees at a dealership can have access to the material at any time. “Prior to going online, over 8,000 attendees across the U.S. took a Bronze Level class in a face-to-face setting with an instructor,” Scully added. “The Silver Level training is an instructor-led course with hands-on training and will continue to be taught by the Stihl branches and distributors in this manner.” To date, more than 7,400 technicians have completed and passed the Silver Level course.

The true power of the Stihl training courses is that the material is continually updated to keep pace with new engine technologies and new models of equipment and accessories. According to Scully, this ensures that Stihl technicians can provide top-level service. The value of a trained service technician is high for a Stihl dealer.

For the technician, Gold Level certification is a source of pride. “This level of training helps us become teachers to our other service techs back at the dealership,” Gens said. “I’m very honored to have successfully completed the course, like the 999 before me, and become the 1,000th Gold Level dealer technician graduate of the course. I look forward to taking these lessons back to the shop with me so we can continue to provide the great service our customers have come to expect.”

A technician attending a Gold Level training class receives three days of intensive, advanced training. The final exam consists of actual product troubleshooting, a “hands-on” practical exam, and a written examination. Upon successful completion of the testing, the technician earns a factory certification that is good for three years, is renewable, and belongs to the technician. Some of the benefits a dealership with a factory-certified technician on staff receives include higher levels of warranty reimbursement, a free subscription to the Stihl mediaCat parts and service information, and the Gold Level icon on the dealer locator listing at stihlusa.com.